Q&A with Allison Weisnicht, MD, MS, assistant professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy
Hometown: Shawano, Wisconsin
Educational/professional background: I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and then my medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. My pediatrics residency training was at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine. I returned to the University of Wisconsin to complete fellowship training in pediatric hematology-oncology. I also obtained my Master of Science in Clinical Investigation through the UW Institute of Clinical and Translational Research during my fellowship training.
Previous position (title, institution): Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellow, University of Wisconsin
What is your field of research or area of clinical care, and how did you get into it? My clinical and research interests focus on pediatric hematologic malignancies and survivorship care. My interest in pediatric oncology began early in life and has remained a driving force throughout my education and training. I was drawn to the field because it combines cutting-edge science, longitudinal patient relationships, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact during some of the most challenging moments in a child and their family’s lives.
I aim to be a clinical trial researcher with a focus on novel treatment approaches for pediatric hematologic malignancies. I am also interested in understanding how immunotherapy affects immune system recovery after treatment, including how these therapies influence patients’ responses to vaccines they received earlier in life. Ultimately, my goal is to help children not only survive cancer but also thrive throughout adulthood.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? Our bodies, including our blood, are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Sometimes, some of those cells get sick and stop working the way they should. They can crowd out the healthy cells and make it harder for the body to stay healthy. My job is to give strong medicines that help get rid of the sick cells so the healthy ones can grow and do their jobs again. I also help make sure kids stay healthy as they grow up after their treatment is finished.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? Because I grew up in Wisconsin and completed both my undergraduate and medical education at UW–Madison, the university has felt like home to me. What continues to attract me to the UW is its strong culture of collaboration and the exceptional resources available across campus. The close partnership between clinicians and scientists creates a unique environment where innovative research can quickly translate into better care for patients. The opportunity to contribute to that mission while serving children and families in Wisconsin is extremely meaningful to me.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? Madison is especially beautiful in the summer and fall. In the summer, I enjoy eating Babcock ice cream at the Memorial Union Terrace while taking in the lake views. In the fall, I love walking or running along the Lakeshore Path and hearing the UW Marching Band practicing in the distance.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? I hope trainees develop a commitment to lifelong learning and maintain a sense of curiosity throughout their careers. Our patients depend on us to continually advance treatments and improve outcomes. I also hope they appreciate the profound privilege of caring for patients and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives, approaching that responsibility with compassion and humility.
Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea? If so, please describe how. Yes. Having completed a significant portion of my training at the University of Wisconsin, I feel a responsibility to give back through service to patients and families across Wisconsin and beyond. Because I’ve come from a rural background and have had the opportunity to earn advanced degrees, I would like to pay forward the opportunities I have been given. To me, the Wisconsin Idea means using my education, training, and expertise to improve the health and well-being of others. I’m grateful to be able to do that here at the UW.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during video chats and parties? One exciting advancement in pediatric leukemia treatment is a drug called blinatumomab. Blinatumomab is an immunotherapy known as a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) that uses patients’ own immune cells to fight leukemia cells.
Because it specifically targets leukemia cells, blinatumomab generally does not cause some of the typical side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. It has transformed treatment for many patients with certain types of leukemia; it’s an example of how modern cancer therapies are not only improving patient outcomes but also reducing some treatment-related toxicities.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? Outside of work, I enjoy running, spending time with my growing family, and exploring new places through international travel.