Dr. Michael Piepkorn

Dr. Michael Piepkorn, MD, is a highly trained clinical dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and researcher with more than five decades of experience in the medical field. He has held academic positions and contributed to medical research for over 20 years. Dermatopathology, which merges dermatology and pathology, is his area of specialization. His research has notably focused on melanoma skin cancer and psoriasis, in which he has made significant contributions. He spends most of his time at Dermatopathology Northwest in Seattle, Washington, where he diagnoses diseases based on skin biopsies. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a staff member at the pigmented lesion and melanoma clinic at the Roosevelt outpatient facility at the University of Washington (UW), maintaining his dual commitment to patient care and academic involvement. Michael Piepkorn, PhD, holds board certifications in pathology, dermatology, and dermatopathology, emphasizing his expertise in these specialized fields. He has been involved in academic dermatology appointments at respected institutions, including the University of Utah and the University of Washington. In 2000, Piepkorn co-founded a skin pathology lab in Bellevue, Washington, establishing a solid foundation for his ongoing work in dermatopathology research and diagnosis. He has earned recognition for his extensive research on melanoma skin cancer, including his work identifying the major familial melanoma gene, p16 or CDKN2A. His research in this area has earned him an award from the American Society of Dermatopathology in 2004, acknowledging his valuable contributions to the understanding and diagnosis of melanoma.