Guest Blogger Series: #3 Genes, Environment, & Melanoma (GEM)

​To give more of a window into Bob and the influence he had on people's lives, I'm inviting a series of guest bloggers from different fields to share their experiences. -Ann Millikan

Bob Millikan was an important member of the Genes, Environment, and Melanoma (GEM) group, an international group of researchers studying the genetic and environmental risk factors for melanoma. He was the principal investigator for the North Carolina Melanoma Study, which entered patients from North Carolina into the larger GEM study. Bob was known as a superb collaborator with an eye toward the greater good.  He frequently shared his methodologic expertise and had a strong ability to critique and improve analyses.  The GEM group knew Bob in his work role but also on a personal level.  We spent time traveling with him to meetings, loved spending recreational time with him, and would like to share some of our pictures of Bob that we treasure.

Denmark: "When Bob visited us in Denmark in 2009, he was very engaged in the Vikings, their ships and way of living and he joked about applying for a "viking citizenship". Had he grown a beard he would have been the prototype of a Viking. An entrepreneur, clever, persistent, strong, handsome - although much, much more gentle and caring.”  Elisabeth Thieden, Denmark

Ireland: “Bob spent the 2005-2006 academic year at University College Dublin (Ireland) as a Fulbright Scholar. We visited Bob in Ireland, a place that he loved and felt at home, and got a chance to see this beautiful country.”  Nancy Thomas, North Carolina

New Mexico (with Marianne): “Clearly Bob was intrigued by the Native American culture in New Mexico and enjoyed our foray to a Native American cliff dwelling where early Americans lived.”

“Bob had a great love of the outdoors and a fun sense of humor.  At the Native American cliff dwelling after climbing a scary ladder up a rock wall, he signaled “peace” to all.”

“Bob is on his way up the canyon at Tent Rocks, along with the rest of the GEM group, to the strange and wonderful “hoodoos” at Tent Rocks in New Mexico.” Marianne Berwick, New Mexico

British Columbia: “Bob had many interests and obligations to keep him in North Carolina, but Whistler was difficult to turn down, so here he is with the GEM team after a hard morning of skiing and an interesting GEM meeting.” Richard Gallagher, British Columbia