University of California San Francisco

James L. Rubenstein, M.D., Ph.D.
James L. Rubenstein, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology

    Biography

    Dr. James Rubenstein is a hematologist-oncologist or blood disorders specialist, whose expertise is treating patients with neurologic complications from cancer, in particular patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the brain, called central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. In his research, he is interested in immunologic tools to improve tumor response to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, to minimize toxicity from treatment and the development of tumor biomarkers to diagnose brain tumors.

    Rubenstein earned a medical degree at Cornell University Medical College in New York and completed a residency in internal medicine at Stanford University Medical Center. He earned a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular neurosciences at Rockefeller University in New York and completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at UCSF, including training in neuro-oncology. He is a member of the American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Association of Cancer Research. He won a Scholar in Clinical Research Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and a Research Career Award from the National Cancer Institute. He is an assistant professor of medicine, in residence.

    Education

    Education
    • Stanford University, B.S., June 1985, Biological Sciences
    • The Rockefeller University, Ph.D., June 1991, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (Medical Scientist Training Program)
    • Cornell University Medical College, M.D., May 1992, Medicine
    Residencies
    • Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, Internship/Residency, 1992-1995, Internal Medicine
    Fellowships

    University of California, San Francisco, Fellowship, 1992-1998, Hematology/Oncology and Neuro-Oncology
     

    Clinical Expertise

    Brain Tumor
    Brain Metastases
    Hodgkin's Lymphoma
    Metastatic Lung Cancer
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
    Spinal Cord Tumor

    Program Affiliations

    Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology 
    Thoracic Oncology Program
    Member, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center