Dr. Ila Saunders

Professor

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Biography

Ila M. Saunders is a Health Sciences Clinical Professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. She is a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in Blood & Marrow Transplant at Moores Cancer Center. Prior to joining the faculty at SSPPS in August 2014, Dr. Saunders served as a clinical pharmacy specialist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she practiced in the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy department for six years. Her research focuses on real-world outcomes of anti-cancer therapies and the supportive care of patients with blood cancers, including leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma. Dr. Saunders has been instrumental in expanding oncology clinical pharmacy services since 2014. Her academic qualifications include a B.S. in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Pharm.D. from the University of California, San Francisco. She has received several awards for her contributions to pharmacy education and clinical practice and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Education Council for the Hematology Oncology Pharmacists Association. Additionally, she actively participates in various committees and initiatives aimed at improving pharmacy education and patient care.

Research Interests

Experience

Health Sciences Clinical Professor

2014-08-01 — Present

Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego • La Jolla, CA

Teaching and research in oncology pharmacy and clinical practice.

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

2008-01-01 — 2014-08-01

MD Anderson Cancer Center • Houston, TX

Worked in the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy department.

Awards

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Inaugural HOPA Volunteer Award

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Renee Holder Literature Award

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SSPPS Excellence in Teaching Award

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Fellow, Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Association

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Lifetime Achievement Award, ASTCT Pharmacy SIG

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).