September Faculty Spotlight
Published on September 2, 2024
Dr. Michael O’Rorke
- Hometown: Belfast, UK
- Alma mater: Queen’s University Belfast
- Field(s) of Research: Molecular Cancer Epidemiology
- Current Project(s): Neuroendocrine Tumors – Patient Reported Outcomes (NET-PRO): a National Prospective Cohort Study using PCORnet
What are your interests and hobbies outside of the Department of Epidemiology?
“I cycle everywhere and anywhere I can, and I have taken up paddle boarding in the past two years. I love being out in the elements and amongst nature – hiking/biking/ on the SUP – it’s all good. I’ve a passion for architecture (Victorian homes in particular). I build 1:12 scale doll houses in my spare time. I love working to scale with wood – and miniature scale is so much more attainable than DIY on the real thing – though I enjoy that too! I have remodeled many kitchens and bathrooms in my time for myself and others.”
Few pics of the wee house I’m currently building, including a working mini piano kit I assembled.
What drew you toward your field(s) of research? Why do you believe this is important?
“1 in 2 men, 1 in 3 women will develop cancer in their lifetime. I’ve a very strong family history of GI tract cancers (early-onset) – several members have died young. I have also lost 2 academic mentors from pancreatic cancer. If I can do research that adds a little more to the puzzle of cancer detection, risk or prognosis – and if that puzzle piece is in a rarer tumor – all the better!”
If you had to give a recommendation for one food item at a local restaurant, what would it be?
“Cinnamon butter and hot bread rolls served at the Texas Roadhouse”
Describe a piece of your work or an accomplishment that you are most proud of:
“I’m particularly proud of my work with rare tumors (both pancreatic and neuroendocrine). I feel like my work with the PanGEN-EU study and the NET-PRO project will have an impact on future research and resources for these lesser studied cancers.”
Iowa NET-SPORE team at the Healing NET conference April 2024 – San Antonio, TX (Chandrikha, Joe, Po, Jim and me).
This or That?
| Sunrise | Sunset |
| Read the thoughts of other people | Fully communicate with animals |
| Be fluent in every language | Be a master of every instrument |
Ranking of Internationally Acclaimed Songs:
“I think for any person/student interested in cancer,
Siddhartha Mukherjee’s
‘The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer’
should be a required text.”
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