Meet the Preceptors

	Dr. Alison P. Duffy, PharmD, BCOP, FNAP Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research University of Maryland School of Pharmacy PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program Director, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Professor, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Leukemia/Lymphoma Outpatient Clinic PGY1: University of Cincinnati Health PGY2 Oncology: University of Cincinnati Health Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist since 2011 Preceptor Since: 2010 Rotations Offered Ambulatory Leukemia/Lymphoma Teaching/Academia Clinical interests Include optimizing oncology pharmacotherapy through patient-centered, evidence-based care, with an emphasis on patient engagement, supportive care, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Research interests Include real-world clinical outcomes, quality improvement, implementation of innovative oncology pharmacy practices, patient engagement strategies, and oncology pharmacy education. Professional Involvement National Academies of Practice (NAP), American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), Network for Collaborative Oncology Development and Advancement (NCODA) Teaching Philosophy I believe the most effective learning occurs when trainees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow. My teaching philosophy centers on creating a psychologically safe and inclusive learning environment where learners can build confidence, embrace the learning curve, and develop their professional identity. I am passionate about fostering learner confidence and reducing barriers related to self-doubt, allowing trainees to approach challenges with clarity, curiosity, and a growth mindset. Oncology pharmacy is a rewarding but intellectually and emotionally demanding profession. I strive to mentor learners not only in developing clinical expertise, but also in cultivating the resilience, self-awareness, and confidence needed to thrive as oncology pharmacy professionals. I enjoy mentoring pharmacy students, PGY1 and PGY2 residents, and early-career oncology pharmacists through a transparent, approachable, and humanistic teaching style. My teaching approach incorporates clinical reasoning strategies such as “thinking out loud” and concept mapping to help learners develop structured approaches to complex clinical problems while appreciating diverse perspectives and alternative approaches to problem-solving. I am honored to have been recognized for my commitment to mentorship and precepting and remain dedicated to developing compassionate, confident, and capable oncology pharmacists. Outside of Work Family time, music/dance, animals, travel, outdoors, water parks, pastries
	Dr. Gionna Knauss, PharmD PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program Coordinator, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant/ Cellular Therapy Outpatient Clinic PGY1: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center PGY2 Oncology: Geisinger Medical Center Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist since: in process Preceptor Since: 2025 Rotations Offered Ambulatory Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant/ Cellular Therapy Clinic Elective Ambulatory Multiple Myeloma Clinic Elective Medication Safety Longitudinal Experience Clinical Interests GHVD Prevention and Treatment Post-HSCT Maintenance Therapy CAR-T Cell Therapy Sickle Cell Disease and Gene Therapy Multiple Myeloma and Acute Leukemias Medication Safety Research Interests CMV reactivation and improved prevention methods s/p HSCT GHVD outcomes with improved prevention methods Professional Involvement Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Outside of Work Playing with my dogs DIY house projects Baking Happy hours and bonfires with friends and family Teaching Philosophy No two learners are alike and catering your teaching style to your learner will help them feel comfortable enough to learn and thrive in the environment you’ve given them. I strive to put an emphasis on independent practice and critical thinking so that my learners are comfortable with autonomy and clinical decision making in the “grey” world of TCT and even oncology as a whole.
	Jennifer Nishioka, PharmD, BCOP Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Oncology Services Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Inpatient Transplant and Cellular Therapy Board certified since: 2008 Preceptor Since: 2011 Rotations offered: Inpatient Transplant and Cellular Therapy (TCT) Program Clinical interests Transplant and Cellular Therapy CAR-T Cell Therapy Allogeneic stem cell transplant Supportive Care Phase I Clinical Trials Research Interests Donation programs for unused oral chemotherapy/medications Professional Involvement HOPA member ASTCT member Outside of work Spending time with my son and my rescue pittie, being outdoors (especially on the water) Teaching Philosophy Create a highly engaged environment that cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving.
	Nina Kottakuzhiyil, PharmD, MBA/MHA Oncology Pharmacy Operations Manager Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) – In process Preceptor Since: 2023 Rotations Offered Pharmacy Administration Oncology Pharmacy Operations Sterile Compounding & USP <800> Compliance Medication-Use Process & Quality Improvement Clinical Interests Oncology pharmacy operations USP 800 - Sterile compounding and hazardous drug handling Workflow optimization and operational efficiency Research Interests Operational and quality improvement initiatives Professional Involvement Oncology Pharmacy Network (OPN) UMMS Hazardous Medication Subcommittee Outside of Work Indian dancing, fitness, and travelling Teaching Philosophy I believe people learn best when they feel comfortable, supported, and having fun. Learning should be engaging, even when covering the most complex or challenging topics.
	Amanda Chan, PharmD, BCOP Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – GI/Melanoma/Sarcoma Oncology Outpatient Clinic Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) since: 2024 Rotations offered Ambulatory GI/Melanoma/Sarcoma Clinical interests Pharmacogenomics Oncologic precision medicine Pharmacy informatics Research Interests Optimizing clinical decision support (CDS) in EHRs to mitigate and reduce anticipated adverse events in oncologic therapies Outside of work Traveling Baking Reading Pokémon Go Teaching Philosophy You will never know everything, but setting expectations and understanding where you can find help is vital to being successful.
	Justin Lawson, PharmD, BCOP Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Genitourinary and Thoracic Oncology Outpatient Clinic PGY1 – Emory University Hospital PGY2 – Emory University Hospital - Oncology Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) since: 2018 Preceptor Since: 2017 Rotations offered Outpatient Oncology (Genitourinary and Thoracic) Clinical interests Solid Tumor BiTEs Toxicity Management Lung Cancer Pharmacy Informatics Research Interests Pharmacist-driven safety outcomes and supportive care management for oral oncolytic small molecules and immunotherapy Professional Involvement HOPA member Outside of work Board games and family! Teaching Philosophy Every learner has a unique strategy for internalizing information. Half the job of a preceptor is to hone that strategy to encourage of career of self-directed learning.
	Sheetal Patil, PharmD, BCOP Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Breast and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic PGY1: Lancaster General Hospital Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) since: 2025 Preceptor Since: 2015 Rotations Offered Ambulatory Breast and Gynecology Oncology Clinical Interests Clinical informatics Medication safety Outside of Work Various physical activities such as hiking, exercising, gardening, dancing, and traveling Teaching Philosophy “Take full advantage of learning time and experiences”
	Alexandra Simms, MS, PharmD, BCOP Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Inpatient Medical Oncology PGY1: Huntington Hospital PGY2 Oncology: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical center Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) since: 2024 Preceptor Since: 2022 Rotations Offered Inpatient Medical Oncology Clinical Interests Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL therapy) Sarcoma Lung cancer Research Interests Efficacy and safety of supportive care agents Donation programs for unused oral chemotherapy Professional Involvement HOPA Member Outside of Work Watching musicals and playing with my puppy Teaching Philosophy I want my learners to feel that they learn something new each day.
	Abigail (Abby) Thomas, PharmD, BCPMP Pain Management and Palliative Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist PGY1: Aultman Hospital in Canton, OH PGY2: Pain Management and Palliative Care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Interprofessional Palliative Care Fellowship through Harvard Medical School Board Certified Since: 2025 Preceptor Since: 2026 Rotations offered Inpatient palliative care consult service Clinical interests Pain management Palliative Care Expanding pharmacist role within the interdisciplinary team Opioid Stewardship Research Interests Non-opioid pain management efficacy and safety Improving the utilization of buprenorphine Professional Involvement Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists (SPPCP) Outside of Work Spending time and trying new restaurants with my partner Cuddling with my cat, Margaret (Marge) Exercising at [solidcore] Reading fantasy and romance novels Teaching Philosophy I hope to foster lifelong learning through an emphasis on curiosity and meeting every learner where they are.
	Allison Yang, PharmD Clinical Oncology Pharmacist – Leukemia PGY1: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center PGY2 Oncology: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Rotations Offered Inpatient malignant hematology Outpatient Leukemia Clinical Interests Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Interests Safety and feasibility of outpatient administration of bispecific antibodies Utilization of tocilizumab for cytokine release syndrome for CAR-T Outside of Work Reading, exploring new restaurants, traveling Teaching Philosophy I want my learners to feel supported both professionally and personally.
	Aarti Zaver, PharmD, BCOP Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Inpatient Hematology & Leukemia Clinic PGY1/PGY2 - Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) since: 2025 Preceptor Since: 2025 Rotations offered Inpatient malignant hematology Leukemia clinic Clinical interests Acute leukemia Chronic myeloid leukemia Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Research Interests Outpatient bispecific T-cell engager initiation Optimal tocilizumab dosing AML outcomes after azacitidine/venetoclax Professional involvement HOPA member Outside of work I love trying new cafes and ice cream in Baltimore, going to city events (Mt Vernon Flower Mart is one of my favorites), listening to audiobooks, and travelling to see my friends and family Teaching philosophy As a preceptor, I place emphasis on critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based decision making. I strive to adjust my teaching style to fit each individual learner and aim to prepare residents to confidently & independently manage complex clinical cases.