Benjamin S. Braun

Benjamin S. Braun, MD, PhD is a Professor of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), specializing in pediatric hematology-oncology with a focus on leukemia research. He practices at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital and maintains an active research program investigating molecular mechanisms of leukemogenesis.

His educational background includes:

• BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University (1990)
• MD and PhD in Molecular Biology from University of California, Los Angeles (1998)

Dr. Braun completed his residency in Pediatrics and fellowship in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at UCSF. His research program investigates RAS signaling pathways in hematologic malignancies, with particular expertise in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and oncogenic Kras-driven leukemogenesis. Using sophisticated mouse models and translational approaches, his laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how mutations in the RAS pathway drive leukemia development and how these pathways can be therapeutically targeted.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on translational research in pediatric hematologic malignancies, spanning from basic mechanistic studies of oncogenic signaling to clinical investigations of novel therapeutic approaches including targeted inhibitors and immunotherapies. His work has particular emphasis on juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, reflecting his commitment to understanding disease biology while developing more effective treatments for children with cancer.

Dr. Braun has received significant research funding from the National Institutes of Health, including:

• Mechanisms linking RAS signals to disordered hematopoiesis and myeloid neoplasia (R01CA173085)
• In Vivo Analysis of Oncogenic Kras in Leukemogenesis (K08CA103868)

His laboratory is part of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital research community, collaborating extensively with other investigators in pediatric oncology and hematology to advance the understanding and treatment of childhood cancers.