He received his PhD in microbiology and immunology from Tulane University Medical School. Tenenbaum was trained as a viral immunologist and studied viral-host interactions, focusing on the role of cellular RNA-binding proteins in viral replication. Some of his work resulted in the development of a patented diagnostic for fibromyalgia that is licensed by Autoimmune Technologies. Tenenbaum remained at Tulane for an additional two years after being awarded a Hemophilia Foundation Judith Graham Pool Postdoctoral Fellowship. During this time he studied natural resistance to HIV infection in severe hemophiliacs.