Frank Attenello, MD, MS, combines a passion for neurosurgery and neuroscience research in his approach to treating primary and metastatic brain tumors, specifically gliomas, glioblastoma and meningiomas.
His research interests include restoring brain function after traumatic injury, genetics of cell injury and overcoming chemotherapy resistance. Among his National Institutes of Health-funded studies are an examination of the role of long noncoding RNA, a type of ribonucleic acid, in treatment resistance in glioblastoma.
In addition to Dr. Attenello’s extensive publication credits in leading peer-reviewed medical journals, he has co-authored several book chapters, including a chapter on surgical planning for the prestigious textbook, “Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery, 8th Edition.”
Dr. Attenello grew up in the Los Angeles area with a father who was a physician and a mother who was a molecular biologist studying cancer. Watching his father with patents, the future neurosurgeon wanted to follow in his footsteps. He also was inspired by his parents’ belief in research and the knowledge that could only come from laboratory science.
Away from work, Dr. Attenello likes spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys reading, running and mentoring students in his lab.
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“I want each patient to know I will treat them as if they are a family member and dedicate my time to taking care of them during the most difficult period of their brain tumor journey.
“I devote much attention upfront to make sure my patients are comfortable with me, confident in my abilities as a surgeon and feel they’re in good hands. I obsess about the results and outcomes for the betterment of my patients. I want the best for them.”
