J Ricardo McFaline Figueroa, MD, PhD

As a neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone, I am deeply committed to understanding my patients’ experiences and concerns. I believe that listening is a crucial part of providing the best care possible. My approach to care is centered on fostering strong partnerships with my patients and their families, ensuring a positive patient experience. As the director of neuro-oncology research at the Brain and Spine Tumor Center, I am dedicated to expanding treatment options for our patients.

I specialize in treating adult patients with primary brain tumors, including low-grade gliomas, glioblastoma, and primary central nervous system lymphoma. These conditions involve abnormal growths in the brain and nervous system, and my goal is to provide the best care based on the most up-to-date research and a robust interdisciplinary approach. I also assist in the multidisciplinary management of brain metastases—cancer that has spread to the brain from other parts of the body—and manage neurological complications of cancer or cancer therapy.

Throughout my career, I have been driven by the urgent need to find novel treatments for brain tumor patients. I remember a patient whose brain cancer did not respond to our standard care. After enrolling in a clinical trial with immune checkpoint inhibitors—drugs that help the immune system fight cancer—he showed a complete regression of the cancer. The cancer eventually recurred, but the patient was able to enjoy many more joyous years with their family and friends than they had originally expected. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of proactive healthcare engagement and the importance of research in improving patient outcomes.

My journey into medicine began when I was a kindergartner, after the loss of a friend to a congenital cardiac disease. This early experience sparked a lifelong goal to pursue a career in medicine. I chose neuro-oncology because I felt that my basic research background could contribute to finding new treatments for brain tumor patients. I find immense fulfillment in knowing that our care allows people to live life to the fullest.