Robert Bok

Robert Bok, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He holds an adjunct position and is part of the Hyperpolarized MRI Technology Resource Center. His expertise lies in molecular imaging, particularly hyperpolarized carbon-13 techniques for prostate cancer detection and monitoring. Dr. Bok completed his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Illinois and MD at Johns Hopkins University. He has extensive clinical training in Internal Medicine and Hematology-Oncology at the University of Minnesota and UCSF.

• Education: PhD in Biochemistry (UI, 1984), MD (Johns Hopkins, 1989)
• Residency/Fellowship: Internal Medicine (Minnesota, 1992), Hematology-Oncology (UCSF, 1996)

His research focuses on developing advanced MRI methods, including hyperpolarized MRI and nanoparticle applications, using pre-clinical models like the TRAMP mouse. Key projects include evaluating hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate for prostate cancer and brain tumor imaging. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and 90 abstracts, with grants from NIH (e.g., R01CA238379, U01CA232320).

Awards include the 2011 Executive Committee Membership at UCSF and the 2006 Prostate Cancer Foundation Research Award. He is affiliated with the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center and international societies like the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

His lab at UCSF Mission Bay Surbeck Laboratory collaborates on imaging innovations, and he advises on clinical trials for molecular imaging applications in oncology.