Dr. Peter Jones is a pioneering scientist who has fundamentally shaped our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in human health and disease. He currently serves as President and Chief Scientific Officer of Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has led a period of significant expansion since joining in 2014. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, he was raised and completed his undergraduate education in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) before earning his Ph.D. from the University of London. Dr. Jones joined the University of Southern California in 1977 and served as Director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center from 1993 to 2011, establishing a distinguished career in cancer research before his leadership role at Van Andel Institute.
Dr. Jones pioneered the field of epigenetics through his groundbreaking discovery of the effects of 5-azacytidine on cytosine methylation, establishing the critical link between DNA methylation, gene expression, and cellular differentiation. His seminal research demonstrated how epigenetic alterations can cooperate with genetic mutations to drive cancer development, fundamentally transforming cancer biology. This work laid the foundation for epigenetic therapies that have become standard treatments for certain blood disorders and cancers. Dr. Jones and his team have continued to advance the field through innovative approaches, including investigating vitamin C-based therapies to enhance the effectiveness of treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome. His laboratory's discoveries have opened new avenues for understanding how environmental factors interact with our genome to influence disease.
As a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research and a Fellow of multiple prestigious academies, Dr. Jones has profoundly shaped cancer research globally through leadership and mentorship. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and received numerous honors including the Medal of Honor from the American Cancer Society. Dr. Jones currently co-leads the Van Andel Research Institute-Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team, which is developing novel treatments for colon and blood cancers. His ongoing research explores the intricate relationship between epigenetics, cancer, and aging, with potential to unlock new therapeutic approaches. Dr. Jones remains at the forefront of a field he helped create, continuing to drive innovation that could benefit millions of patients worldwide.
