Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Department of Medicine

Faculty Profiles
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photo Robert J Ferguson, PhD

Hematology/Oncology

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Biobehavioral Cancer Control Program

Email: fergusonrj2@upmc.edu

Phone: 412-623-5888
Contact
Office: Center for Counseling and Cancer Support
5220 Centre Avenue, Shadyside Medical Bldg, Suite 604
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
 
Phone: 412-623-5888
Fax: 412-623-5980
E-mail: fergusonrj2@upmc.edu
Administrative Assistant:
Tiffiany Dotson
Address: 5200 Centre Avenue
Shadyside Medical Bldg, Suite 604
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Email: dotsonta@upmc.edu
Phone: 412-623-5888
Administrative Assistant:
Audrey Kreitz
Address: Biobehavioral Cancer Control- Ferguson Lab
5200 Centre Avenue, Shadyside Med Bldg, Suite 604
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Email: kreitza@upmc.edu
Phone: 412-623-5975
Education and Training
Education
PhD, Nova Southeastern University, 1994
MA, Ball State University, 1987
AB, Bowdoin College, 1985
Training
Internship, Dartmouth Medical School, 1994
Fellowship, Dartmouth Medical School, 1996
Research Interest
Research interests include the cognitive-behavioral treatment of late cognitive effects of cancer, cancer survivorship and palliative care. Development of cognitive-behavioral therapies for cancer-related cognitive impairment, design and conduct of randomized clinical trials to evaluate treatment. Funding for this work includes grants from the National Cancer Institute, NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Beckwith Institute and Shadyside Hospital Foundation.

Selected Funded Research:

P.I. Ferguson, R.J. (Contact PI). McDonald, B. (MPI at Indiana University). Mobile Device CBT for Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Dysfunction: A Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial. NCI R01 CA244673 6/1/2020- 5/31/2025

P.I. Cognitive Impairment in GIST Patients on Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy: Longitudinal Assessment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Improve Cognitive Symptoms. Ferguson, R.J., Duensing, A. (MPI’s) 7/1/2019-2022. Shadyside Hospital Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA

P.I. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Dysfunction: Using Technology to Train Clinicians and Monitor Real World Outcomes of Evidence-Based Treatment to Improve Care. 6/2017- 10-2018. Beckwith Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

P.I. Videoconference CBT for Rural Breast Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Complaints. 10/2012-2015. NCI/Office of Research on Women’s Health: 1R21CA143619-01A1
Clinical Interest
Cognitive-behavioral treatment of late cognitive effects of cancer, cancer survivorship and palliative care.
Educational Interest
Post-Graduate medical education on cancer-related cognitive impairment, cancer survivorship and symptom management.
Publications
For my complete bibliography, Click Here.
Selected Publications:
Kucherer S, Ferguson RJ. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for cancer-related cognitive dysfunction. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care. 2017; 11: 46-51.
McDonald, B., Flashman, L., Arciniegas, D., Ferguson, R.J., Xing, L., Harezlak, J., Sprehn, G., Hammond, F., Maerlender, A., Kruck, C., Gillock, K., Frey, K., Wall, R., Saykin, A., McAllister, T. Methylphenidate and Memory and Attention Adaptation Training for persistent cognitive symptoms after traumatic brain injury: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017; 42: 1766-1775.
Ferguson, R.J., Sigmon, S.T., Pritchard, A., LaBrie, S., Goetze, R., Fink, C., Garrett, A.M. A randomized trial of videoconference-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for breast cancer survivors with self-reported memory dysfunction. Cancer. 2016; 122: 1782-1791.
Fremouw T, Fessler CL, Ferguson RJ, Burguete Y. Preserved learning and memory in mice following chemotherapy: 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin single agent treatment, doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide combination treatment. Behavioral Brain Research. 2012; 226: 154-162.
Fremouw T, Fessler CL, Ferguson FJ, Burguete Y. Recent and remote spatial memory in mice treated with cytosine arabinoside. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavioral. 2012; 100: 451-457.
Ferguson RJ, Martinson AA. An overview of cognitive-behavioral management of memory dysfunction associated with chemotherapy. Psychooncologia. 2011; 8: 385-404.
Ferguson FJ, Cassel A, Dawson R. Cognitive effects of cancer chemotherapy in adult cancer survivors: Cognitive-behavioral management. Journal of Rational-Emotive Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. 2010; 28: 25-41.
Ferguson RJ, McDonald BC, Saykin AJ, Ahles TA. Brain structure and function differences in monozygotic twins: Possible effects of breast cancer chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2007; 25: 3866-3870.
Ferguson RJ, Ahles TA, Saykin AJ, McDonald BC, Furstenberg CT, Cole BF, Mott LA. Cognitive-behavioral management of chemotherapy-related cognitive change. Psycho-Oncology. 2007; 16: 772-777.
Turner, K., Bobonis-Babilonia, M., Naso, C., Nguyen, O., Gonzalex, B.D., Oswald, L.B., Robinson, E., Elston, L., Ferguson, R.J., Alishah-Tabriz, A., Patel, K., Hallanger-Johnson, J., Aldawoodi, N., Hong, Y.R., Jim, H.S.L., Speiss, P.E. Healthcare providers' and professionals' experiences with telehealth oncology implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2022; 24 (1): 1-19.
Notable Achievements
Board Memeber, Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society, 2011-2016
Citation Abstract, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2016
Reviewer, National Cancer Institute, Biomarker, Imaging and Quality of Life Studies Funding Program, 2013
Reviewer, Dutch Cancer Society. Research grant application reviewer for cancer survivorship and neuro imaging research., 2012
Clinical Research Fellow, Eastern Maine Medical Center, 2008-2010
Dissertation Committee Member, University of Maine Clinical Psychology, 2011-2012
Dissertation Committee Member, Griffith University (Austrailia),, 2010
Dissertation Committee Member, University of Maine Clinical Psychology, 2009-2010
External Faculty, University of Maine Department of Psychology, 2006-2016
Member, Cancer Control Research Program, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 2000-2005

Division Websites

Cardiology

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

General Internal Medicine

Geriatric Medicine
Hematology/Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Renal-Electrolyte

Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Contact

Department of Medicine
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3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Email:  chairoff@pitt.edu
Phone:  412-648-9636
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