Dr. Allison F. O’Neill is a distinguished pediatric oncology physician-scientist and senior clinical leader whose career spans translational research, multidisciplinary program development, and the advancement of innovative therapies for pediatric solid tumors. She currently serves as Vice President for Clinical Performance Management and Clinical Director of the Solid Tumor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she also directs Medical Therapies for the Liver Tumor Center. In these roles, she leads institutional efforts to elevate clinical quality, expand strategic solid tumor programs, and drive innovation in pediatric oncology care.
Dr. O’Neill’s scientific work is rooted in translational immuno-oncology and cancer imaging. Early in her career, she developed a targeted imaging probe to enhance detection of Ewing sarcoma micrometastases, an effort that catalyzed her long-standing interest in antibody engineering and precision therapeutics. She subsequently trained extensively in cancer immunology, gaining expertise in antibody humanization, molecular targeting, and immune profiling—expertise that now guides her research programs in sarcoma and liver tumor biology. Her work integrates genomic characterization, cellular immunology, and novel therapeutic development, with the goal of creating more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for children with solid tumors.
In addition to her research leadership, Dr. O’Neill is internationally recognized for shaping the clinical landscape of pediatric liver tumors. She serves as Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Liver Tumor Committee and is a key contributor to global collaborations such as the Paediatric Hepatic International Tumor Trial (PHITT) and the SIOP Liver Tumor Working Group. She authored the pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arm of PHITT and leads major initiatives to refine prognostication and therapy for hepatoblastoma and pediatric HCC. She also directs the DFCI/Boston Children’s Liver Tumor Center, a model of integrated multidisciplinary care involving surgeons, interventional radiologists, and translational researchers.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. O’Neill holds a faculty appointment as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and has trained numerous residents, fellows, and early-career scientists. Her career reflects a commitment to bridging preclinical discovery with clinical innovation, ensuring that breakthroughs in molecular biology and immunotherapy translate into tangible improvements in outcomes for children with cancer.
Dr. O’Neill completed her medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by pediatric residency training through the Boston Combined Residency Program and a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is board certified in Pediatrics. Her expertise encompasses translational research, immuno-oncology, pediatric liver tumors, Ewing sarcoma biology, and multidisciplinary program leadership.
She is a Member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.