Shawn Edwin Cowper, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pathology

Research Interests

My primary research interest is in the mechanism of Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy, a newly-described fibrosing disorder seen in patients with renal disease. I am assisting in identifying new cases of NFD, tracking these cases with personnel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and examining the clinical, histopathological, and physiological features of this unusual disorder. In addition, I am interested in cutaneous lymphomas and alopecias, and the appropriate use of histopathology in diagnosing these disorders. My primary and preferred instructional tool is the networked computer. I have been involved with web-based pathology education for some time. My largest project is Pathmax, a web-based resource for pathology professionals currently accomodating 60,000 unique visitors per year from over 80 countries. In addition, ongoing web-based educational projects can be found on the Yale Dermatopathology Educational Links Site.

Education:

1986 B.S. University of Michigan 1990 M.D. Michigan State University 1991 PGY 1, Henry Ford Hospital 1999 PGY 2-5, University of South Florida, AP/CP Pathology 2002 PGY 6-7, University of California, San Francisco, Dermatopathology

Selected Publications

• Moreno-Romero JA, Tigell SS, Mascaro JM, Mateu CH, Cowper SE. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: A case series with gadolinium as a possible etiologic factor. Br J Dermatol 157(4):783-7. Oct 2007 Epub 2007 Jul 11
• Introcaso CE, Hivnor C, Cowper S, Werth VP. Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy/nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a case series of nine patients and review of the literature. Int J Dermatol 46(5): 447-52. May 2007
• High WA, Ayers RA, Cowper SE. Gadolinium is quantifiable within tissue of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. J Amer Acad Dermatol 56(4): 710-2. April 2007
• Kuo PH, Kanal E, Abu-Alfa A, Cowper SE. Gadolinium-Based MRI Contrast and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. [Editorial] Radiology 242(3): 647-9. March 2007
• Deo A, Fogel MA, Cowper SE. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: A Population Study Examining the Relationship of Disease Development to Gadolinium Exposure. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2(2): 264-7. March 2007
• High WA, Ayers RA, Chandler J, Zito G, Cowper SE. Gadolinium is detectable within the tissue of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. J Amer Acad Dermatol 56(1): 21-26. January 2007
• Quan TE, Cowper SE and Bucala R. The role of circulating fibrocytes in fibrosis. Curr Rheum Reports 8(2): 145-50, March 2006
• McNiff JM, Subtil AS, Cowper SE, Lazova RL, Glusac EJ. Case 35-2004: Cellular Digital Fibromas: distinctive CD34-positive lesions that may mimic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. J Cutan Pathol 32(6): 413-8, 2005.
• McNiff JM, Cowper SE, Lazova R, Subtil A, Glusac EJ. CD56 Staining in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Natural Killer Cell Lymphoma: Magic Bullet, diagnostic pitfall, or both? J Cutaneous Pathol 32(8): 541-5, 2005.
• Cowper SE and Watsky K. Kidney Disease and Stiff Legs – Module II, pp 1-2.  Maintenance of Certification Manual for Dermatology (MOCMD). American Academy of Dermatology, Schaumburg, IL, September 1, 2005
• Quan TE, Cowper S, Wu SP, Bockenstedt LK, Bucala R. Circulating Fibrocytes: collagen-secreting cells of the peripheral blood. Int J Biochem and Cell Bio 36: 598-606, 2004.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fibrosing Skin Condition among patients with Renal Disease--United States! and Europe, 1997-2002. MMWR 2002, 51:25-26

• Cowper SE, Rosenberg AS, Morgan MB. An Investigation of Apoptosis in Androgenetic Alopecia. Am J Dermatopathol 24(3): 204-8, 2002
• Cowper SE, Morgan MB. Authors' Reply. Amer J Dermatopathol 23(3): 276-7, 2002
• Lam CW, James J, Cowper S, Balis J, Muro-Cacho C and McCluskey R. Pulmonary Toxicity of Simulated Lunar and Martian Dusts in mcie: I Histopathology 7 and 90 days after intratracheal instillation. Inhal Toxicol 14(9): 901-16, 2002
• Cowper SE, Su L, Robin H, Bhawan J, LeBoit PE. Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. Amer J Dermatopathol 23(5): 383-93, 2001
• Cowper SE, Robin HS, Steinberg SM, Su LD, Gupta S, LeBoit PE. Scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous diseases in renal-dialysis patients. The Lancet 356(9234), 16 September 2000, 1000-1

• Nelson C, Cowper S, and Morgan MB. p53, mdm-2, and p21(waf-1) in the Porokeratoses. Amer J Dermatopathol 21(5): 420-5, 1999
• Cowper SE, Proper S, Morgan MB, and Kilpatrick T. Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Skin. Amer J Dermatopathol 21(3): 213-9, 1999
• Morgan MB and Cowper SE. Expression of p27 (kip1) in Spitz nevi and melanomas. Amer J Dermatopathol 21(2): 121-124, 1999
• Cowper SE, Lopez MA, Foulis PR. The lack of diagnostic utility of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the evaluation of acute myocardial infarction. Laboratory Medicine 29(10) 629-32, October 1998
• Cowper SE, Fiorica JV, Haller EM, Nicosia SV, Jones M, and Coppola D. Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vagina. Cancer Control (5)2:179-183, 1998

 

Contact

Campus Address
Yale School of Medicine
333 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8059

Office Phone
(203) 785-3524