Robert Cowles, MD
Professor of Surgery (Pediatrics)Cards
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
Pediatric Surgery
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Fetal Care Center
- General Pediatric & Thoracic Surgery
- Pediatric Aerodigestive Disorders Program
- Pediatric Aerodigestive Program
- Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Surgery Program
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Trauma Surgery Program
- Surgery
- Yale Medicine
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 Research Interests
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
Fact Sheets
Pediatric Crohn's Disease
Learn More on Yale MedicinePediatric Ulcerative Colitis
Learn More on Yale MedicinePediatric Congenital Heart Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineEsophageal Atresia
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Pediatric Surgery
- Certification Organization
- AB of Surgery
- Latest Certification Date
- 2016
- Original Certification Date
- 2006
Yale Medicine News
News & Links
Media
- Whole mount section of the enteric nervous system (ENS) stained with anti-GFAP (red-glia) and an anti-GFP (green-new neuron) immunofluorescent antibodies revealing newly generated neurons after bowel resection in a mouse.