Adile Orhan

ADILE
ORHAN

I am a medical doctor and researcher working at the intersection of clinical oncology and translational cancer research. I study how neural- and stress-related signaling shape the tumor microenvironment and influence cancer progression and treatment outcomes in patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancer.

I obtained my medical degree from the University of Copenhagen and have more than five years of clinical experience from different Danish hospitals, including Zealand University Hospital and Rigshospitalet. My clinical work has strongly shaped my research interests and motivates my ambition to develop biologically grounded strategies that can improve outcomes for patients with aggressive cancers.

I am currently affiliated with the Center for Surgical Science, where my research focuses on how neural signaling influence survival outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. A central component of my research involves translational and clinical studies investigating whether modulation of stress signaling pathways may improve cancer outcomes. Through this work, I aim to contribute to the development of novel perioperative and therapeutic strategies that integrate insights from tumor biology with clinical oncology.

I have authored more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications and contributed to international academic textbooks. My work has been cited more than 2,500 times (h-index 15). In addition to my research, I am actively involved in teaching and mentorship. I have supervised more than 15 medical students while contributing to medical education.

My scientific work was recognized with the Lundbeck Foundation Talent Prize in 2024, awarded for outstanding early-career research achievements. I welcome interdisciplinary collaborations in tumor biology, pancreatic cancer, surgical oncology and translational cancer research.

Work experience

PhD Student, Center For Surgical Science, Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital

Jun 2023 – Now

Teaching Assistant, University of Copenhagen

Sep 2021 – Now

MD, Department of Oncology

Sep 2019 – Jul 2023

Teacher, Aspiri A/S

Dec 2016 – Now

Assistant Editor, Gyldendal/Munksgaard

Sep 2019 – Jul 2023

Medical Consultant, Danish Health Authority

Mar 2023 – May 2023

Medical Intern, Family Medicine, Søndre Lægehus, Koege

Sep 2019 – Jul 2023

Medical Intern, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department, Zealand University Hospital

Mar 2023 – May 2023

Teaching Assistant, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen

May 2017 – Jul 2020

Research Assistant. Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital

Aug 2017 – Jun 2020

Undergraduate Researcher,  Center For Surgical Science, Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital

Feb 2019 – Jan 2020

Student Assistant, Department of Clinical Oncology, Rigshospitalet

Jan 2019 – Feb 2019

Author,  Samfundslitteratur, “Kompendium i medicinsk psykologi og sundhedspsykologi”

Feb 2018 –  Feb 2019

Locum Junior Doctor, Rigshospitalet

Jun 2018 – Aug 2018

Student Assistant, Pixie Study, Center for Surgical Science, Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital

Nov 2017 – Apr 2018

Research Assistant, Danish Cancer Society

Sep 2015 – Nov 2016

Education

Medical Doctor, MD, University of Copenhagen

2020

Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Medicine, University of Copenhagen

2017