Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Investigator and Biostatistician, Mark Sorial!
Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Investigator and Biostatistician, Mark Sorial!
Mark Sorial
Mark Sorial is an Investigator and Biostatistician at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)’s PETAL Consortium and Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He is completing his Masters of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is currently a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Mark Sorial is an Investigator and Biostatistician at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)’s PETAL Consortium and Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He is completing his Masters of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is currently a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
In this Q&A, meet Mark Sorial, PETAL Consortium’s Principal Biostatistician!
In this Q&A, meet Mark Sorial, PETAL Consortium’s Principal Biostatistician!
In this Q&A, meet Mark Sorial, PETAL Consortium’s Principal Biostatistician!
When did you first know you wanted to become a pharmacist?
When did you first know you wanted to become a pharmacist?
I didn't really think I was going to go into pharmacy. I didn't think I was going into a medical field at all. I was actually more interested in engineering. But my mom is a chemist, and she was thinking about what would be a stable, good-paying job that also had some chemistry involved. She pushed me towards pharmacy, and it ended up working out pretty well! I’m glad I listened to her.
I didn't really think I was going to go into pharmacy. I didn't think I was going into a medical field at all. I was actually more interested in engineering. But my mom is a chemist, and she was thinking about what would be a stable, good-paying job that also had some chemistry involved. She pushed me towards pharmacy, and it ended up working out pretty well! I’m glad I listened to her.
Why are you getting an MPH after already completing pharmacy school?
Why are you getting an MPH after already completing pharmacy school?
During residency training for pharmacy, I worked on a research project with a mentor who had a PhD in biostatistics and epidemiology. He showed me how readily available data could be used to significantly improve care for people. After residency, I knew I wanted to continue that kind of work, but I didn’t have the time or energy for a PhD. An MPH felt like the right path for me, especially since public health research is all about improving care and access at the population level.
During residency training for pharmacy, I worked on a research project with a mentor who had a PhD in biostatistics and epidemiology. He showed me how readily available data could be used to significantly improve care for people. After residency, I knew I wanted to continue that kind of work, but I didn’t have the time or energy for a PhD. An MPH felt like the right path for me, especially since public health research is all about improving care and access at the population level.
What inspired you to go into medical research?
What inspired you to go into medical research?
In oncology, we're now at this new age where the pace of discovery is explosive. We're learning how to better diagnose early and really understand how cancer works. That makes it easier to come up with new therapies, and the whole process is accelerating. A lot of cancers are also moving away from chemotherapy–an older approach. So oncology has been a great place to integrate my research with clinical work. I see the patients and the challenges we’re facing, and research is one way I can try to make life better for them.
In oncology, we're now at this new age where the pace of discovery is explosive. We're learning how to better diagnose early and really understand how cancer works. That makes it easier to come up with new therapies, and the whole process is accelerating. A lot of cancers are also moving away from chemotherapy–an older approach. So oncology has been a great place to integrate my research with clinical work. I see the patients and the challenges we’re facing, and research is one way I can try to make life better for them.
Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?
Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?
Lymphoma is really cool in that it's such a diverse disease that stems from just a few types of cells. In a lot of other cancers, you might have just a few subtypes. But in lymphoma, those two or three cells become cancerous in so many different ways that you end up with something like 100 different subtypes.
T-cell lymphoma, in particular, is more rare than the B-cell types. We just don't know as much about it. There aren’t as many good treatments, and there’s still a lot we need to figure out. When I joined MGH, it happened to be right around the time Salvia had joined there too. She was looking to start a lab and had this vision for PETAL. I came in with some training in biostatistics and epidemiology and was interested in research, specifically in understanding T-cell lymphoma better. I think I was in the right place at the right time, with the right interest. We've been able to do a lot of things with PETAL.
Lymphoma is really cool in that it's such a diverse disease that stems from just a few types of cells. In a lot of other cancers, you might have just a few subtypes. But in lymphoma, those two or three cells become cancerous in so many different ways that you end up with something like 100 different subtypes.
T-cell lymphoma, in particular, is more rare than the B-cell types. We just don't know as much about it. There aren’t as many good treatments, and there’s still a lot we need to figure out. When I joined MGH, it happened to be right around the time Salvia had joined there too. She was looking to start a lab and had this vision for PETAL. I came in with some training in biostatistics and epidemiology and was interested in research, specifically in understanding T-cell lymphoma better. I think I was in the right place at the right time, with the right interest. We've been able to do a lot of things with PETAL.
What does a day-in-your-life at PETAL Consortium look like?
What does a day-in-your-life at PETAL Consortium look like?
I recently moved to Dana-Farber, where I work as a clinical pharmacist, but I'm still heavily involved with the research done at MGH.
My day to day right now in the outpatient setting is seeing patients. As a lymphoma specialist, I only see patients with lymphoma. I see patients starting new treatment, go over what to expect, and help prevent or manage side effects. I also work closely with the lymphoma doctors to come up with treatment plans, especially for complicated cases. We often work together and come up with dosing adjustments or treatment strategies to treat them, but also minimize toxicity and harm.
My days vary quite a bit. Some days are busier than others—I often help with many aspects of the lymphoma department and the care patients receive alongside the doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and trainees. I build the treatment order templates, create guidelines, and improve the way we deliver treatment. I also serve as a clinical resource for everyone. On top of that, pharmacy residents typically start around this time in the summer, and I'm often involved with overseeing their lymphoma rotations and guiding them through research projects. Fall is especially very busy because of deadlines for the American Society of Hematology and any other conferences. Then, in the spring, we work on implementing the new data into practice.
I recently moved to Dana-Farber, where I work as a clinical pharmacist, but I'm still heavily involved with the research done at MGH.
My day to day right now in the outpatient setting is seeing patients. As a lymphoma specialist, I only see patients with lymphoma. I see patients starting new treatment, go over what to expect, and help prevent or manage side effects. I also work closely with the lymphoma doctors to come up with treatment plans, especially for complicated cases. We often work together and come up with dosing adjustments or treatment strategies to treat them, but also minimize toxicity and harm.
My days vary quite a bit. Some days are busier than others—I often help with many aspects of the lymphoma department and the care patients receive alongside the doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and trainees. I build the treatment order templates, create guidelines, and improve the way we deliver treatment. I also serve as a clinical resource for everyone. On top of that, pharmacy residents typically start around this time in the summer, and I'm often involved with overseeing their lymphoma rotations and guiding them through research projects. Fall is especially very busy because of deadlines for the American Society of Hematology and any other conferences. Then, in the spring, we work on implementing the new data into practice.
Any interests/hobbies?
Any interests/hobbies?
I like building, fixing, and designing things. If something in the house breaks—a faucet, a car issue—I’ll try to fix it myself, or I’ll look it up on YouTube. I’ve also learned a bit about 3D design and 3D printing which lets me create parts that I can use to fix or improve things. I like solving problems and making life a little easier.
I like building, fixing, and designing things. If something in the house breaks—a faucet, a car issue—I’ll try to fix it myself, or I’ll look it up on YouTube. I’ve also learned a bit about 3D design and 3D printing which lets me create parts that I can use to fix or improve things. I like solving problems and making life a little easier.
What’s your perfect meal?
What’s your perfect meal?
I love burritos. They are the perfectly packaged food that are delicious, customizable, and contain all food groups!
I love burritos. They are the perfectly packaged food that are delicious, customizable, and contain all food groups!
Favorite TV show/movie?
Favorite TV show/movie?
The Office!
The Office!
Any house plants?
I have some houseplants. I always forget to water them, but we have one that has lived for a while (pictured on the right). It's one of those plants that doesn't need a lot of water.
Any house plants?
I have some houseplants. I always forget to water them, but we have one that has lived for a while (pictured on the right). It's one of those plants that doesn't need a lot of water.
Dream vacation destination?
Dream vacation destination?
Probably Germany! There's a famous racetrack there where you can rent a sports car and drive it on the track. There are also many automotive museums that highlight the engineering advancements that have come over the years. That would be really cool.
Probably Germany! There's a famous racetrack there where you can rent a sports car and drive it on the track. There are also many automotive museums that highlight the engineering advancements that have come over the years. That would be really cool.
Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?
Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?
My wife's favorite flower is peonies. I don't know enough about flowers to have a strong opinion, so I’ll say peonies too.
My wife's favorite flower is peonies. I don't know enough about flowers to have a strong opinion, so I’ll say peonies too.
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved