Rory obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in the Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program from Iowa State University in 1983. In his postdoctoral work with Drs. Merle S. Olson and Donald Hanahan at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1983-1987), he studied fundamental mechanisms of hormones/lipid mediators on hepatic glycogenolysis and discovered a novel mechanism of glycogenolysis induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) and other vasoactive agents. He joined the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Iowa in 1987 where his research has evolved from studying PAF and antigen-induced glycogenolysis, to cloning GPCRs and studying their signaling mechanisms, to cloning numerous members of the RGS protein family and studying their signaling and physiological/pathophysiological roles. His research now focuses on RGS6 which possesses critical roles in neuropsychiatric diseases, cancer biology and heart disease. His laboratory uses interdisciplinary approaches including manipulation and monitoring of neuronal circuits, mouse behavior, CRISPR gene editing of mice, and molecular genetic/cellular studies. Outside of the laboratory, Rory enjoys time with family, fishing, fitness and following his college and professional sports teams.