The establishment of the AIRII follows an announcement in June of a
partnership between GVSU and Van Andel Institute.
GVSU and Van Andel Institute partner to launch AI Research and Innovation Institute
Sep 16, 2026
GVSU and Van Andel Institute (VAI) are jointly launching the Artificial Intelligen ce Research and Innovation Institute (AIRII) this fall, uniting two of West Michigan’s leading research communities behind a shared ambition: to make the region a nationally recognized center where artificial intelligence and the life sciences advance together.
The establishment of the AIRII follows the institutions’ June partnership announcement , which made GVSU’s newly established Ph.D. in Computing a key component of future AI-driven research at Van Andel Institute.
At its core, AIRII is designed to dissolve the boundaries that traditionally separate disciplines. Joint research teams co-led by GVSU faculty and VAI scientists will pursue externally funded, cutting-edge projects that bridge computing and the life sciences, drawing on expertise across GVSU’s College of Computing and on VAI’s deep strengths in cancer, neuroscience, epigenetics and structural biology.
The institute will also serve as a facilitator of shared seminars, workshops and collaborative projects that connect students and researchers across both institutions, building the kind of cross-disciplinary culture that produces breakthroughs no single field could achieve alone. Additionally, West Michigan’s strong healthcare, industry and entrepreneurial partnerships offer valuable opportunities for students while creating a talent pipeline for graduates with expertise in AI and biomedical innovation.
Marouane Kessentini, left, dean of the College of Computing, and Eric
Swindell, dean and chief academic officer of the Van Andel Institute
Graduate School, are pictured inside the DeVos Center for
Interprofessional Health.
Marouane Kessentini, dean of GVSU’s College of Computing, said the establishment of the AIRII is a major milestone in advancing artificial intelligence and life sciences.
“AIRII is about imagining what becomes possible when computing and the life sciences stop working in parallel and start working as one,” Kessentini said. “This institute brings together researchers who see the same problem through different lenses and gives them the resources, the data and the partnerships to solve it. It furthers our commitment to advancing artificial intelligence, accelerating biomedical discovery and realizing West Michigan’s vision of becoming a national leader in AI-driven innovation.”
Eric Swindell, chief academic officer and dean of the Graduate School at Van Andel Institute, commended the vision for AIRII to become a globally recognized center for transforming life science AI.
“AIRII will advance foundational artificial intelligence research as it applies to the life sciences, driving significant scientific discoveries and developing the next generation of life science AI researchers and leaders. We are excited to develop first-in-class educational experiences for graduate students both at GVSU and VAI,” Swindell said.
Leading the institution will be an executive director responsible for vision, fundraising, strategic partnerships and research growth. The search for this leader is active, and applications are being accepted. Research leaders, a steering committee and an external advisory board will support governance.
“AIRII represents a strategic investment in the future of artificial intelligence, biomedical science and regional economic growth,” Kessentini said. “By bringing together the strengths of GVSU and VAI, we are creating a powerful platform for discovery, education, innovation and real-world impact, one that we believe will change how science is done in West Michigan and well beyond.”
Those interested in learning more are invited to AI Futures in West Michigan: Talent, Research, and the GVSU–Van Andel Institute Partnership , a free Tech Week event on Wednesday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at theDeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, where the launch of AIRII will be marked with faculty lightning talks, a student project showcase, research posters and a panel of healthcare and industry leaders from Van Andel Institute, Corewell Health, HealthWest, NxGen MDx and BAMF Health.
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