Scientific careers are rarely linear, and mine is a good example. I am grateful to @natmetabolism.nature.com for publishing this series and making space for the many different paths, timelines and ways to build a scientific career. rdcu.be/fysBT #Drosophila #CareerPathways #WomenInSTEM #ScienceSky

Career pathways, part 20

Nature Metabolism - Academic careers are shaped by scientific discovery, professional networks, mentorship and the challenges of balancing research with personal and professional responsibilities....

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Compendium of patient-derived models offers new opportunities for cancer research, precision oncology www.vai.org/article/comp...

Compendium of patient-derived models offers new opportunities for cancer research, precision oncology – Van Andel Institute

Read about Compendium of patient-derived models offers new opportunities for cancer research, precision oncology on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discove...

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For scientists, precision is everything. VAI recently installed a cryo-plasma-focused ion beam, a leading-edge technology that helps scientists see the innerworkings of cells and tissues in unprecedented detail. Read more: www.vai.org/article/cutt...

Cutting thinner, seeing deeper: The power of cryo-PFIB – Van Andel Institute

Read about Cutting thinner, seeing deeper: The power of cryo-PFIB on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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At VAI, Drs. Russell Jones and Evan Lien study how different types of cells use nutrients in different ways. Their work aims to develop targeted strategies that support immune cells while making cancer cells more vulnerable. Read more: www.vai.org/article/fuel...

Fueling the fight against cancer – Van Andel Institute

Read about Fueling the fight against cancer on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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Can the gut microbiome help prevent disease despite genetic risk? Using a microscopic worm model, Dr. Nick Burton’s lab is studying how certain microbes may help buffer the effects of disease-causing genetic variants. Read more: www.vai.org/article/a-gu...

A gut feeling: How the microbiome may help protect against disease – Van Andel Institute

Read about A gut feeling: How the microbiome may help protect against disease on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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Van Andel Institute ranks No. 3 on the 2026 Nature Index Research Leaders list of North American nonprofit research organizations for biological sciences. #NatureIndexResearchLeaders

Please join us in congratulating Drs. Ellen Stirtz, April Rickle, Sofia leleva, Thomas Goralski and Svetlana Djirackor, who recently earned their Ph.D.s in molecular and cellular biology from Van Andel Institute Graduate School.

May is #ALSAwarenessMonth. Learn more about how understanding genetics may fuel new ALS therapies:

How understanding genetics may fuel new ALS therapies – Van Andel Institute

Read about How understanding genetics may fuel new ALS therapies on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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Postdoctoral Fellow

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinso...

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We are excited to recognize renowned scientist Glenda Halliday, Ph.D., as the recipient of the 2026 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research! Read more: vai.org/gcpd-jva-awa...

VAI & Wageningen University and Research’s scientists used a CRISPR variant to distinguish tumor DNA from healthy DNA by targeting chemical differences present in cancer cells. Published in @nature.com, the study is a promising step toward cancer therapy that targets tumor cells with high precision.

What’s on the horizon in Parkinson’s disease research? In honor of #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth, VAI’s Dr. Darren Moore highlights five areas to watch for breakthroughs in the coming years. Read more: www.vai.org/article/5-ar...

A new discovery from VAI scientists and collaborators shows that a key energy enzyme in tuberculosis-causing bacteria is structured in an unexpected way, which may help it adapt to stress and survive. The findings point toward new ways to make treatments more effective. #WorldTBDay2026

Can a chronic stomach infection influence #Parkinsons disease risk? Recent findings by VAI’s @mxhend.bsky.social and colleagues reveal how infection by the H. pylori bacterium may influence the risk and progression of Parkinson’s. www.vai.org/article/can-...

Can a chronic stomach infection influence Parkinson’s disease risk? – Van Andel Institute

Read about Can a chronic stomach infection influence Parkinson’s disease risk? on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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This #WorldCancerDay, learn about four areas to watch for breakthroughs in cancer research: -Exploring epigenetics -Investigating the immune system -Harnessing diet and metabolism -Collaboration and team science

Cancer research in 2026: What’s new? What’s next? – Van Andel Institute

Read about Cancer research in 2026: What’s new? What’s next? on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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Hello from our new CSO! With Dr. @jdlicht.bsky.social stepping into the role of president and chief scientific officer, VAI is focused on growth, collaboration and scientific impact. Here are a few areas you’ll see shaping our work: www.vai.org/article/hell...

Exciting times at the 2026 #SU2CScientificSummit @su2c.bsky.social! Delighted to share that I’ve joined my friend Dr. Peter Jones as co-leader of the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team, which moves promising potential combination therapies for cancer into clinical trials.

Drug-resistant fungal infections like Candida auris and Cryptococcus neoformans are on the rise. Recently, a team of scientists from VAI and @mcmasteruniversity.bsky.social identified a natural substance that may help a group of low-toxicity antifungal drugs work better. www.vai.org/article/flip...

In 2025, VAI continued to build scientific momentum and drive discoveries that deepen our understanding of human health. Check out our year of research highlights! www.vai.org/article/refl...

Reflecting on research: 2025 highlights – Van Andel Institute

Read about Reflecting on research: 2025 highlights on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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Modestly limiting calories promotes the formation of ketones, which act as “fuel” for T cells, reports a study in @natmetabolism.nature.com by Dr. Rusty Jones & colleagues. The findings pave the way for developing diets to boost the effects of cancer immunotherapies. www.vai.org/article/stud...

Study reveals how dietary restriction helps fuel cancer-fighting immune cells – Van Andel Institute

Read about Study reveals how dietary restriction helps fuel cancer-fighting immune cells on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and heal...

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VAI & @cureparkinsons.org.uk are thrilled to announce that we have renewed a funding agreement to support the International Linked Clinical Trials Program, the world’s largest drug repurposing clinical trial initiative for #Parkinsons disease. Read more: www.vai.org/article/van-...

Van Andel Institute, Cure Parkinson’s renew funding for Parkinson’s clinical trials program – Van Andel Institute

Read about Van Andel Institute, Cure Parkinson’s renew funding for Parkinson’s clinical trials program on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in sc...

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🧬🪰🐀🪱🧑‍🤝‍🧑Join me and my co-organizers @andrewpospisilik.bsky.social @nickburton.bsky.social Derek Jannssens and Piroska Szabó for the 2026 VAI Epigenetics Symposium @vai.org. The meeting is centered around phenotypic plasticity and variation. For more specific topics check: www.vai.org/event/2026-v...

Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Michael Dahabieh recently earned a prestigious award for his work on immunotherapies. His research aims to improve these treatments by identifying new ways to re-energize immune cells in their battle against cancer. Read more: www.vai.org/article/harn...

Harnessing the immune system to combat cancer: A Q&A with Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Michael Dahabieh – Van Andel Institute

Read about Harnessing the immune system to combat cancer: A Q&A with Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Michael Dahabieh on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoverie...

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Congrats to Dr. Russell Jones for being named to this year’s @clarivate.com Highly Cited Researchers list — a distinction marking him as a leader in his field. Read more: vai.org/hcr-2025 #HighlyCited2025 @clarivateag.bsky.social

Could a molecular “adhesive” help make a common antibiotic more effective? New findings published in @natcellbio.nature.com from Dr. Huilin Li and collaborators may pave the way for optimizing neomycin for broader use. Read more: www.vai.org/article/a-st...

VAI Graduate Student Yanqing Liu works to outsmart cancer by exploring the molecular tricks cancer cells use to survive. She recently received a prestigious award to support her research and contribute to the development of improved therapies. www.vai.org/article/figh...

Fighting to outsmart cancer: A Q&A with graduate student Yanqing Liu – Van Andel Institute

Read about Fighting to outsmart cancer: A Q&A with graduate student Yanqing Liu on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

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I am excited to announce that after a decade of service to the U of Florida during which the @ufhealthcancer.bsky.social received NCI designation, in January 2026 I will be assuming the role of President and Chief Scientific Officer of the @vai.org. www.vai.org/article/emin...

Eminent physician-scientist Dr. Jonathan D. Licht to serve as next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute – Van Andel Institute

Dr. Jonathan D. Licht has been selected as the next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute, effective January 2026.

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Van Andel Institute PhD program- App Deadline soon Innovative curriculum/personalized academic support/generous financial support: $44,635 stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance coverage, laptop computer, $2,500/year for scientific conferences, relocation allowance. www.vai.org/graduate-sch...

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Learn more about at Van Andel Institute. Explore our in-depth resources and latest articles.

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It is our distinct honor to announce that Dr. Jonathan D. Licht has been selected as the next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute. Read more: www.vai.org/article/emin...

Eminent physician-scientist Dr. Jonathan D. Licht to serve as next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute – Van Andel Institute

Dr. Jonathan D. Licht has been selected as the next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute, effective January 2026.

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A study by @mxhend.bsky.social and collaborators found that an unstructured layer surrounding the Alzheimer’s-related protein tau plays a critical role in recruiting other proteins to misfold in Alzheimer’s progression. The findings were published in @natcomms.nature.com. www.vai.org/article/not-...

Not just a harmless accessory, tau’s ‘fuzzy coat’ contributes to Alzheimer’s progression – Van Andel Institute

Read about Not just a harmless accessory, tau’s ‘fuzzy coat’ contributes to Alzheimer’s progression on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in scien...

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