Dr. Ila Saunders, PharmD, BCOP, DipACLM, FHOPA, MBA is a Clinical Professor of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (UC San Diego SSPPS). She has a clinical appointment at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, specializing in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and malignant hematology. Since joining UC San Diego in 2014, she has established the first outpatient oncology pharmacist role at the institution, developing pharmacist-managed services and collaborative practice protocols for patients with cancer.

Prior to UC San Diego, Dr. Saunders spent six years as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at The University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At SSPPS, Dr. Saunders expanded the didactic oncology curriculum by 50% in her role as course chair, developed and launched a new oncology elective, and has served as the Director of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences since December 2023. Nationally, she has contributed to several professional committees, including the NCCN Anti-Emesis Practice Guidelines, Chemotherapy Order Set Committee, and Directors DEI Directors Forum as well as the American Society of Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Pharmacy Special Interest Group, the Southwestern Oncology Group Drug Information Subcommittee, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's Cancer and Pharmacist Member Interest Groups. Additionally, she is a founding member and part of the leadership team of PharmGradWishList, a grassroots sponsorship initiative which aims to reduce health disparity gaps by supporting underrepresented pharmacist trainees.

Dr. Saunders' research focuses on real-world outcomes in HCT and hematology, cellular therapies, and supportive care, and has an emerging research interest in studying the impact of compassion training on cancer care teams and trainees. She has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters, and has mentored dozens of pharmacy trainees.

Dr. Saunders currently serves as Chair-elect of the Hematology Research Outcomes (HERO) Consortium, where she collaborates with HERO members to conduct multicenter research that advances hematology knowledge.

Dr. Saunts earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the UC San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at UCSF Medical Center followed by a PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Practice Residency at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. She has been Board Certified in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) since 2008 and is a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is an Affiliate Faculty member of the UC San Diego Sanford Center for Compassionate Communication.