A comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment will aid the development of holistic therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer. The scope of my research program will encompass deciphering the molecular determinants of the neuro-immune axis in the context of cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. This program will open avenues for understanding new mechanisms that promote tumor development and progression, identify new biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, define novel targets for therapeutic interventions, and may provide new approaches to improve the clinical efficacy of existing anti-cancer therapies.