BMT Fellows
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Training the next generation of leaders to transform care and advance research in bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy.

 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

Natalie Maria

Natalie Maria
Program Coordinator 
[email protected] 

Phone: (415) 476-2981

Betty Liao

Betty Liao
Program Administrator 
[email protected] 

Phone: (415) 476-2656
Fax: (415) 502-5356

Recent Past Trainees
  • Geoffrey Cheng: Previous Fellowship: Montefiore Medical Center Current position: Children's Hospital Orange County

  • Paulina Horvei: Previous Fellowship: Mayo Clinic. Current Position: University of Pittsburgh  

  • Gabriel Salinas Cisneros: Previous Fellowship: Children’s National Hospital. Current Position: University of California, San Francisco 

  • SooHee Cho: Previous Fellowship: Children's Hospital Colorado. Current Position: University of Utah 

  • William Temple: Previous Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco. Current Position: University of California, San Francisco