Myself Venketesh K. Panda, DST-INSPIRE-SRF pursuing my PhD Research at Translational Research Laboratory, KIIT University under the supervision of Prof. Gopal C. Kundu, J. C. Bose Fellow, Director R&D. My research interests is to dissect the molecular dialogue and interplay between tumor and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. Particularly, I am exploring the macrophage diversity and heterogeneity in tumor immune microenvironment thereby promoting tumor growth, angiogenesis and immune therapy failure (Kundu M, et al. 2024, Molecular Cancer). Further, we have uncovered the role of OPN, a bone derived chemokine known to enhance several hallmarks of cancer. In our recent review article (Panda VK, et al. Biomedicines, 2024) we have highlighted the role of OPN in tumor progression and immunomodulation in various cancers. We deploy various approaches such as gene silencing methods using Sh RNA, CRISPR based in cancer cells as well as immune cells to study the functional attributes of these cells within the tumor-immune microenvironment. I wish to become an independent researcher and contribute significantly to the field of Cancer Immunotherapy for the society .