Van Andel Institute

With a snip of their scissors across a DNA helix-shaped ribbon, co-founder Jay Van Andel and Institute Chairman and CEO David Van Andel ushered in a new era of scientific discovery in Grand Rapids.

Dozens gathered on May 10, 2000, for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Van Andel Institute’s new, Rafael Viñoly-designed building at 333 Bostwick Ave NE. Former President Gerald R. Ford and then-Michigan Gov. John Engler were there, among community leaders and members who were the Institute’s earliest and most ardent supporters.

The ceremony was the culmination of years of planning and construction, and helped launch what is known today as Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile. It was not, however, the end of the road. The building that opened that day was Phase I; seven years later, as the Institute grew at a steady clip, the building began expanding with the construction of Phase II.

Dr. Peter Jones arrived in Grand Rapids with a vision: build Van Andel Institute into one of the world’s premier research organizations.

“Joining the Institute was the chance of a lifetime,” Jones said. “It was an opportunity to take an organization with tremendous potential and elevate it to the next level in a way that makes a real impact on science and human health.”

In February, Jones returned to the lab full time after serving as chief scientific officer since 2014, and as president of the Institute and its Graduate School since 2024.

“When I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, I see a scientist,” Jones said. “I’m the luckiest person in the world because I’m able to pursue my lifelong dream.”

Under Jones’s leadership, VAI experienced exceptional growth in impact and scope. His contributions to the Institute set the stage for a bright future, one built on innovation, collaboration and world-class science.