Two renowned scientists say yes to Grand Rapids' medical research positions, 75-plus jobs to follow

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

Two nationally renowned senior bioscience researchers will leave prestigious positions to lead research at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Spectrum Health and Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.

John Risinger, Ph.D., comes aboard as director of gynecologic oncology research at the MSU medical school, and as director for tissue biorepository at Spectrum Health. His experience includes directing the women’s cancer program at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, and research at the Laboratory of Biosystems and Cancer at the National Cancer Institute and at the Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Jack Lipton, Ph.D., joins the Grand Rapids life sciences community as chair of translational science and molecular medicine for the College of Human Medicine. He will recruit a team of neuroscientists focused on researching Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Lipton leaves his position as professor and director of the division of neuropharmacology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

"These are people at the top of their field who have choices to conduct their research anywhere," says Jeffrey Dwyer, associate dean for the College of Human Medicine. "The Van Andel Institute is among the best research facilities in the country in terms of its design and that was a huge attraction for them. The tremendous research and scientists already here are also huge attractors."

Both doctors bring with them research that's in process and federal funding for that research.

Area life sciences leaders anticipate these two appointments will generate widespread interest in the region as a bioscience research hub, and could, in turn, attract some 25 experienced researchers to the region. Each of those researchers will require between three and seven assistant researchers in their laboratories.

Source: Jeffrey Dwyer, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].