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INFORMATION FOR

Robert Cowles, MD

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Professor of Surgery (Pediatrics)

Contact Info

robert.cowles@yale.edu

Pediatric Surgery

PO Box 208062

New Haven, CT 06520-8062

United States

About

Titles

Professor of Surgery (Pediatrics)

Biography

Robert A. Cowles, MD is a Professor of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Cowles obtained his undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania and his medical degree at Temple University. He completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, and spent two additional years pursuing laboratory research which was supported by a training grant from the NIH and by a research grant from the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Cowles then obtained his pediatric surgery training at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at Columbia University in New York City.

Dr. Cowles practices the full range of pediatric surgery with specific expertise and interest in the care of children with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver and biliary tree. He currently co-manages patients with short gut syndrome and intestinal failure as part of a multidisciplinary team.

He has been a Program Director of Pediatric Surgery Fellowships both in New York and now at Yale University with an interest in competency in surgical education.

Dr. Cowles directs a research laboratory focused on the neural control of intestinal adaptation and neural processes involved in recovery from intestinal injury.

Meet Dr. Robert Cowles.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Clinical Fellowship
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (2004)
Residency
University of Michigan (2002)
Research Fellowship
University of Michigan (2000)
Residency
University of Michigan (1998)
MD
Temple University School of Medicine (1995)

Research

Overview

Our laboratory has found that serotonin (5-HT) and acetylcholine (ACh) are regulators of enterocyte turnover in the small intestine. Mouse models of 5-HT excess result in taller villi, deeper crypts, increased crypt cell division and increased enterocyte apoptosis in the ileum. Pharmacologic enhancement of 5-HT signaling has similar effects. The neural and cellular mechanisms that are involved in this process are under active investigation.

Other studies within our laboratory seek to understand how the enteric nervous system (ENS) responds to injury and how the microbiome may affect mucosal proliferation. The ENS is equivalent to the central nervous system (CNS) but its layers of protection from injury are significantly less. This suggests that it must have an ability to replace injured and dead components. In preliminary studies, we have found that intestinal ischemic injury results in neurogenesis in the ENS, a novel finding.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Biliary Tract; Digestive System Diseases; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Gastrointestinal Tract; Liver; Neuroglia; Neurons; Pancreas

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Robert Cowles's published research.

Publications

2024

2023

2022

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Clinical Care

Overview

Robert A. Cowles, MD, practices the full range of pediatric surgery, and has specific expertise and interest in the care of children with diseases of the esophagus, liver, biliary tree, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. He performs lifesaving surgery to correct biliary atresia in babies, an otherwise fatal congenital defect, and works with a multidisciplinary team to manage patients with short gut syndrome and intestinal failure.

Dr. Cowles, who Connecticut Magazine has listed as one of the Top Doctors in the state, says he was initially inspired to pursue pediatric surgery by mentors and colleagues. “More recently, I am inspired by the courage and resilience of the children and their families,” he says.

An associate professor of surgery (pediatrics) at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Cowles also directs a research laboratory focused on the ability of the intestinal tract to recover from injury. He has contributed toward the development and refinement of surgical techniques that have eliminated the need for transplants in young patients with short bowel syndrome and biliary atresia.

Clinical Specialties

Pediatric Surgery; Surgery

Fact Sheets

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Board Certifications

  • Pediatric Surgery

    Certification Organization
    AB of Surgery
    Latest Certification Date
    2016
    Original Certification Date
    2006

Yale Medicine News

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Get In Touch

Contacts

Email
Appointment Number
Clinic Fax Number
Mailing Address

Pediatric Surgery

PO Box 208062

New Haven, CT 06520-8062

United States

Locations

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