Fotios Koumpouras, MD

My expertise is in the diagnosis and clinical care of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as in the conduct of clinical trials. My initial research interests have evolved from laboratory-based investigation (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997; 94:7566-7571) to an academic clinical career focused on SLE and rheumatology education. My early professional experience as medical director of Dr. Manzi’s Lupus Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh put me at the center of managing multidisciplinary clinical services while engaging in clinical research and clinical trials. One of these lead to a new therapy for SLE in 2011. As Director of the Yale Lupus Program, I lead a dedicated team focused on SLE care, research, and wellness. An off-shoot of the lupus program was the development the Yale rheumatology-dermatology clinic, which I founded. Also, I created a biobank from a well characterized cohort of patients with SLE that produced collaborative research in cardiac lupus, pathogenies of lupus, inflammasome biology, and others. Under my leadership, Yale is now part of every major clinical trial in SLE. I often provide advice for new SLE trials. I was asked to be part of the Executive Health Yale Medicine Program based on my expertise and reputation.

In 2019 I became Training Program Director and recently was elected to serve on the American College of Rheumatology Education grant study section and on the Committee on Training and Workforce issues where we hope to develop a resource for those transitioning into the role of Program Director. I leverage my skills as an academic clinician and disease subspecialist to develop outstanding next generation rheumatologists.