Lea Knez

Acknowledging research as a catalyst for improving patient care is fundamental. This way, research is not an optional pursuit but becomes an indispensable element of clinical practice.

Lea Knez, PhD, is a clinical pharmacist currently holding a joint position as a consultant clinical pharmacist at the University Clinic Golnik, where she is a member of the multiprofessional team at the Medical Oncology Unit, and as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana.

The decision to pursue a career in clinical pharmacy was always in the back of her mind but matured during her master's degree research in the United Kingdom while witnessing clinical pharmacists integrate basic scientific knowledge into a patient-centered approach in their daily work. Inspired by their contribution to patient care, she knew she wanted to follow a similar path.

In her submitted research, she reports encouraging real-world outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with first-line immunotherapy +/- chemotherapy at an academic center in Slovenia.

Providing local-level data on cancer immunotherapy outcomes when provided within routine clinical practice may aid oncologists and patients in making informed decisions about this treatment. Additionally, the research provides some of the first data on the effectiveness of immunotherapy within the Central South-Eastern European region.

She finds energy through quality time with family and friends. Combining these moments with new experiences, exploring different destinations, enjoying great food and quality music recharges her batteries.