All of us have been infected by a virus at some point or another. Rhinoviruses are the main culprit behind the common cold. But what if a pesky virus could help fight cancer? Oncolytic virus therapy is trying to do just that, genetically engineering viruses to infect and destroy cancer cells. This strategy not only spares healthy cells but stimulates immune cells, our body’s natural defense, to destroy cancer cells. However, like any therapy, it has its limitations, such as short-lived efficiency and safety concerns. This raises many questions: When should we administer therapy, and at what dose? Should we use this therapy in combination with another therapy, like immunotherapy? In this research stream, we will use mathematical models to explore these questions. You will learn how to translate the complex world of immune cells, viruses, and cancer cells into equations and use those equations to help design better ways to use viruses to fight cancer.