GRAND RAPIDS ? The Van Andel Research Institute has raised $400,000 toward a goal of $3 million to endow a chair to fund studies of Parkinson?s disease, which afflicted its founder, Jay Van Andel.
VAI CEO David Van Andel said the launch of the institute?s first noncancer research signals an expanded mission for VAI. The plan is to develop a doctoral degree program at VAI to train research scientists. Van Andel also said he wants more collaboration with local and international facilities, including a new medical school in Grand Rapids.
?We?ve always said at some point we would branch out into other diseases, when it complemented what we were already doing here,?? Van Andel told the Grand Rapids Press. ?I cannot think of a more fitting way to memorialize my father?s life and honor his legacy.?
The elder Van Andel died Dec. 7 after a long bout with Parkinson?s disease.
Parkinson?s research at VAI will include a partnership with the new Hauenstein Neurosciences Center to be built by Saint Mary?s Health Care.
