
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Fellowship Program
Since 2009, the UCSF Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Fellowship has offered a one-year intensive training program designed for physicians aiming to lead in the evolving field of pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy.
We are currently accepting applications from Pediatric Hematologists/Oncologists and Pediatric Immunologists passionate about academic medicine and advancing patient care through clinical and translational research.
About The Program
This fellowship offers a comprehensive blend of clinical training, research immersion, and personalized mentorship within a high-volume, world-class transplant center.
Core Focus Areas:
- Autologous & allogeneic transplantation
- Haploidentical transplantation
- Treatment of primary immunodeficiencies
- Advanced cellular therapies: Gene therapy & CAR-T
Goals and Objectives
Our mission is to prepare you for a successful academic career in pediatric BMT and cellular therapy, equipping you with:
- Expertise in clinical transplantation and patient care
- Exposure to the latest research and lab practices
- Confidence in teaching and leading within multidisciplinary teams
How to Apply
Interviews: August– September (for the following academic year)
Application Requirements:
- Cover Letter
- CV
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (including one from your current fellowship director)
Eligibility:
- Board-certified in General Pediatrics
- Eligible for CA Medical License
- Completion of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology or Allergy/Immunology fellowship
Clinical Experience
Your clinical training takes place at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Mission Bay—a state-of-the-art facility performing 70+ transplants annually.
As a fellow, you'll:
- Manage care across pre-, peri-, and post-transplant stages
- Supervise residents, students, NPs, and RNs
- Perform key procedures: lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, stem cell collections, infusions
- Rotate in Pediatric Immunology and Immunogenetics labs
- Gain exposure to clinical-grade cellular therapy manufacturing in UCSF’s GMP-approved lab
UCSF’s program is FACT and NMDP-accredited, ensuring the highest standard of care and training.
Research Training
We’ll support you in diving deep into clinical research, including:
- Joining investigator-initiated or national trials (COG, PTCTC, PIDTC, BMT-CTN)
- Learning data analysis
- Authoring and submitting peer-reviewed publications
Mentoring
At UCSF, you're never on this journey alone. As a Pediatric BMT Fellow, you’ll work side-by-side with dedicated BMT attending physicians in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Through daily rounds, patient case presentations, and collaborative discussions, you’ll receive hands-on guidance and real-time feedback. From your first stem cell collection to complex transplant decisions, every step is supported by experienced faculty who are invested in your growth. You'll also select a personal research mentor from our distinguished team of eleven UCSF Pediatric BMT faculty members, ensuring your clinical and academic development is tailored to your interests.
Rotation Schedule
This immersive one-year fellowship balances clinical care with robust academic and lab experiences. Here’s how your year is structured:
- Inpatient BMT Service (14 weeks/year): Dive into hands-on care at our state-of-the-art UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
- Outpatient BMT Clinic & Consult Service (18 weeks/year): Gain vital continuity-of-care experience.
- BMT Night Coverage (4 weeks/year): Sharpen your independent decision-making during overnight care.
- Pediatric Immunology Rotation (2 weeks/year): Broaden your expertise in managing patients with immunodeficiencies.
- Clinical Research (10 weeks/year): Dedicate focused time to a mentored clinical research project.
- Lab Training: Develop foundational skills in HLA typing and cellular therapy through rotations in the Immunogenetics and Pediatric Cellular Therapy Labs.
Conference Schedule
Learning goes beyond the bedside. Fellows participate in a rich calendar of weekly educational meetings:
- New Patient Intake Conference
- Inpatient Case Review
- Outpatient Case Review
- Education Conference – where you’ll present at least four times during the year
Want to explore further? Depending on your interests, you’re encouraged to attend additional Leukemia, Solid, or Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board, all in collaboration with UCSF’s nationally renowned Pediatric Oncology team, or immunology clinic care meetings with the pediatric immunology team.
Program Leadership
Christine Higham, MD
Program Director
[email protected]
Natalie Maria
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Phone: (415) 476-2981
Betty Liao
Program Administrator
[email protected]
Phone: (415) 476-2656
Fax: (415) 502-5356
Recent Past Trainees
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Geoffrey Cheng: Previous Fellowship: Montefiore Medical Center Current position: Children's Hospital Orange County
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Paulina Horvei: Previous Fellowship: Mayo Clinic. Current Position: University of Pittsburgh
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Gabriel Salinas Cisneros: Previous Fellowship: Children’s National Hospital. Current Position: University of California, San Francisco
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SooHee Cho: Previous Fellowship: Children's Hospital Colorado. Current Position: University of Utah
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William Temple: Previous Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco. Current Position: University of California, San Francisco