Nicholas A. Butowski

Nicholas A. Butowski, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and serves as Director of Clinical Services in Neuro-Oncology at the Brain Tumor Center. He specializes in brain tumors, neuroimaging, cognitive and rehabilitative neurology, and complementary therapies for neurological disorders.

• University of Illinois College of Medicine (MD, 1999)
• Northwestern University (Internship, Internal Medicine, 2000)
• UCSF (Residency, Neurology, 2003)
• UCSF (Fellowship, Neuro-Oncology, 2004)

His research focuses on advancing treatments for primary brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas, and improving patient quality of life through molecular diagnostics, immunotherapy, and clinical trial design. He investigates the roles of IL-6, H3K27M mutations, and MGMT methylation in tumor biology and therapy resistance. His work integrates genomics, pharmacology, and clinical outcomes to refine treatment strategies.

Recent publications highlight trends in glioblastoma immunotherapy, molecular profiling, and novel drug delivery systems like convection-enhanced delivery. He collaborates on phase I-III clinical trials evaluating combinatorial therapies, including anti-CTLA-4, nivolumab, and ONC201.

Scientific Awards

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training (2019)

Dr. Butowski leads NIH-funded studies (grants U19CA264338, R21CA186140) on immunotherapy for glioblastoma and ex vivo drug response assays. His patient-centered approach emphasizes compassionate care, proactive communication, and tailored treatment plans, as evidenced by over 200 patient reviews praising his expertise and bedside manner.