Neuro-oncology is critical to the Pediatric Brain Center and pediatric oncology services, caring for children and young adults at our San Francisco and Oakland campuses. The program has internationally recognized expertise in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, neuropathology, and neuroradiology.  

The program is also the lead and coordinating center for the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC). This international non-profit organization executes multicenter early-phase clinical trials for children and adolescents with brain cancers, positioning UCSF as the ideal place for physicians to pursue their specific interests in neuro-oncology and collaborate with leaders in the field.  

Candidates must be board-eligible or certified in either Pediatric Hematology/Oncology or Child Neurology.  

Foreign applicants with equivalent qualifications are also eligible to apply. Foreign medical graduates must hold an ECFMG certificate and be eligible for a CA state license.  

To be considered, candidates must submit the following: 

• CV 

• Three letters of recommendation (including one from the applicant’s most recent program director)  

• Statement of Interest 

The program training committee will evaluate all applications, and applicants will be invited to interview either in person or by video conference. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis starting in November according to the Society of Neuro-Oncology (SNO) guidelines and commence training in July of the following year. One fellow will be selected per academic year.

Interested applicants should contact the program director, Alyssa Reddy, MD, at [email protected].  

The program aims to train fellows to effectively evaluate and manage children and young adults with benign and malignant tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). Fellows will become comfortable with the diagnostic workup, treatment planning, and care delivery for patients with CNS tumors. They will be able to recognize and manage treatment-related complications as well as the neurologic complications of cancer. In addition, fellows should become familiar with clinical and/or basic science research relevant to the field.  

Fellows primarily learn through supervised experiences on the inpatient Neuro-Oncology service, outpatient Neuro-Oncology clinics (both Oakland and San Francisco), rotations on allied disciplines such as neuropathology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and palliative care, and attendance at scheduled meetings, conferences, and other activities. 

Upon completion of the fellowship program, trainees are expected to have attained competence in the clinical care and conduct of translational research in pediatric neuro-oncology, with the following specific goals: 

• Evaluate, formulate a differential, and stage patients newly diagnosed with a CNS tumor. 

• Provide treatment recommendations, including clinical trial options, and formulate plans for patients with CNS tumors at diagnosis and relapse. 

• Provide continuity care and management for patients, evaluate and manage treatment and tumor side effects, and assess treatment effectiveness. 

• Develop a working knowledge of all treatment modalities, including systemic therapies, radiation, and surgery. 

• Interpret neuroimaging (MRI/CT), pathology, and UCSF500/NGS findings and synthesize this information in the context of a patient's treatment plan. 

• Perform age-appropriate neurologic exams and recognize signs of tumor recurrence or progression, as well as management of tumor-related neurologic emergencies. 

• Understand the role of the clinical investigator in clinical trials, including eligibility, consent, and monitoring of disease progression and adverse events. 

• Understand and utilize evidence-based medicine in the practice of neuro-oncology. 

• Build on communication skills around difficult conversations, including death and dying.  

• Build on effective interpersonal and communication skills with families and healthcare providers.  

• Serve as an educator for peers and trainees through didactics, team rounds, case presentations, and Tumor Board presentations. 

• Develop and complete a clinical research or quality improvement project with faculty mentorship. 

Clinical Research and the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) 

PNOC was founded and is led by UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital faculty members Drs. Sabine Mueller and Michael Prados. At the time, leaders in pediatric neuro-oncology felt that existing consortia were too slow to bring new technologies to children facing short survival times. PNOC now leads 23 US-based and five international clinical trial sites; it has emerged as one of the most prominent early-phase consortia for children and young adults with brain tumors in the world.  

Driven by PNOC, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco offers a wide range of innovative clinical trial options for patients, and 30-50% of new patients to the program are referred for clinical trials. UCSF is often the first site to activate new trials, and all members of the clinic neuro-oncology participate in aspects of the trials. UCSF Neuro-Oncology is actively involved with other clinical trial consortiums, including Children's Oncology Group (COG), HeadStart, and Beat Childhood Cancer, as well as investigator-initiated and industry trials.  

Neuro-oncology fellows will receive extensive exposure to all facets of clinical trials and have an opportunity to be a site investigator. 

Preclinical or Translational Research 

UCSF is home to basic and translational researchers across oncology and neuro-oncology, including the UCSF Brain Tumor Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE), one of six centers awarded such a distinction. Quarterly UCSF pediatric brain tumor summits bring together investigators from UCSF and outside institutions to highlight topics from bench to bedside. 

For physician-scientists who envision a career in basic or translational research in pediatric neuro-oncology, regular interactions with this research environment will allow the trainee to be involved with innovative research in neuro-oncology and shape the goals of a future research program.  

Program Director

Program Administrator