Robert A. Fenstermaker

Robert Fenstermaker

Robert A. Fenstermaker

Department of Neurosurgery

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Brain Research; Brain Tumor; Immunology; Immunotherapy; Neuro-oncology; Neurological Surgery

Contact Information
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, New York 14263
Phone: (716) 845-3154
Fax: 716-845-8982
raf2@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Dr. Fenstermaker graduated from the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in 1981. He completed his neurosurgical residency at University Hospitals of Cleveleand and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1987. Thereafter, he was a NIH Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Biochemistry and Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Between 1989 and 1995, he was Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Chief of Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Fenstermaker became certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 1991. Currently, he is Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Associate Professor and Director of Neurosurgical Oncology in the Department of Neurosurgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He co-directs the Brain Tumor Treatment Center and the new Gamma Knife Center both at Roswell Park. Dr. Fenstermaker's laboratory research program at Roswell Park Cancer Institute concentrates on the molecular oncogenesis of brain tumors. This involves studying the mechanisms by which certain growth factors and their receptors contribute to malignant glioma formation and progression and how these factors may be targeted to selectively kill tumor cells. Dr. Fenstermaker also performs clinical research into local therapies for brain tumors including the effects of intra-operative photodynamic therapy (PDT) on malignant gliomas.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, NIH Post-doctoral Fellow in Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine (1989)
  • Fellowship, Dudley Allen Research Scholar, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (1987)
  • BS, Natural Sciences - Chemistry, University of Akron, Cum Laude (1981)
  • MD, Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University (1981)

Awards and Honors:

  • UB CTSI Award Finalist (2024)

Research Expertise:

  • Neurosurgical Oncology

Patents:

  • Circulating survivin-positive exosomes Use patent for detecting and measuring disease via survivin-expressing exosomes in plasma (2022)
  • Anti-survivin antibodies for cancer therapy A materials patent covering the use of monoclonal antibodies that may be used to treat cancer patients - nonprovisional (2019)

Journal Articles:

See all (65 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • Fellow, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
  • Fellow, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, New York 14263
Phone: (716) 845-3154
Fax: 716-845-8982
raf2@buffalo.edu