As a radiation oncologist, I have devoted my career to translate novel preclinical information to the clinic as it pertains to gastrointestinal and lung cancers. Over the years I have integrated an understanding of cancer immunity in the clinical management of patients. Specifically, I have studied the interaction of radiotherapy and the development of anti-tumor immunity. I investigated the local and systemic effects of radiotherapy and helped to develop strategies directed at harnessing anti-tumor immunity in patients with metastatic disease. Pre-clinically and clinically I have helped to demonstrate that when local radiotherapy is coupled with immune modifiers, an abscopal effect (a response outside the radiation field and mediated by the immune system) can be detected. This work has established radiation as a powerful adjuvant to immunotherapy. In my current role as the Medical Director of Clinical Research at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Radiation Oncology and the Associate Medical Director of Clinical Trials in the Meyer Cancer Center I have helped to establish and implement a strategic plan to grow the clinical research within the department of Radiation Oncology and the Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell.