Dr Welsh is Professor at the Department of Radiation Oncology, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. His research is focused on enhancing the effects of immunotherapy through its rational combination with novel radiation regimen. Dr Welsh has pioneered a new form of radiation delivery that has been trademarked by the Institution, the “RadScopal^TM” technique. This work also includes running many of the first trials of anti-CLTA-4 and anti-PD-1 with radiation including institutional and national prospective trials, which now serve as the basis for several current trials on thoracic cancer. His translational research has expanded into three main areas of focus: (1) identifying novel microRNAs for use either as therapeutics in combination with XRT or as biomarkers; (2) evaluating various immunotherapy agents, including checkpoint inhibitors and nanoparticles, to establish optimal dosages to be used in combination with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy; and (3) combining engineered cell therapy with low-dose XRT to modulate the immunosuppressive effects of the tumor stroma to enhance the infiltration and activity of effector immune cells. His laboratory recently created the first mouse model of PD-1 resistance, which is used to test novel immunotherapy combinations, to further understand the biology or immune resistance. The data from these preclinical projects are used to support future clinical trials.