My laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the recruitment of immune cells to the very early pancreatic pre-neoplastic lesions and the effect of these cells on the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. During tumor initiation and development, recruited immune cells establish a dynamic and close interaction with the neoplastic epithelium as well as with the fibrotic stroma, ultimately affecting tumor behavior. Gaining further knowledge on this interaction will inform us on how to build more effective novel strategies for early detection, prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.