Michael Kwa, MD, FAAD

Summary

Dr. Michael Kwa, MD is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Kwa received his medical degree from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He completed his dermatology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where he served as academic chief.

He has a clinical focus on photoprotection, pigmented lesions, and melanoma, which he has integrated with his research interest in the economics of healthcare. His work includes analyses of drug pricing, systemic cost/utilization, as well as the policies that influence health markets, especially when it comes to ultraviolet filters and sunscreens. He has authored multiple studies in leading academic journals, including publications in the JAAD and JAMA Dermatology, and has been invited to speak at national and international conferences including the AAD, SID, EADV Congress, and the most recent World Congress of Dermatology.

Clinical Specialties and Research Interests

• Clinical: Melanoma, Pigmented Lesions
• Research: Melanoma risk factors, ultraviolet filters, non-invasive diagnostic modalities for pigmented lesions

Selected Publications and Presentations

1. Kwa, M, Guttentag, A, Chase, L, van Meijgaard, J, & Lim, HW. Trends in price for topical corticosteroids from 2017 to 2021 and the opportunity for cost savings identifiable at the point of care: A retrospective cross-sectional study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024; 90(1): 74-81.
2. Pantelic MN, Wong N, Kwa M, & Lim HW. (2022). Ultraviolet filters in the United States and European Union: A review of safety and implications for the future of US sunscreens. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2023; 88(3): 632-646.
3. Kwa MC, Tegtmeyer, K, Welty LJ, Raney SG, Luke MC, Xu S, & Kong B. The relationship between the number of available therapeutic options and government payer (medicare part D) spending on topical drug products. Archives of dermatological research. 2020;312, 559-565.
4. Kwa M, Welty LJ, Xu S. Adverse events reported to the US Food and Drug Administration for cosmetics and personal care products. JAMA internal medicine. 2017;177(8):1202-1204. Covered by various news outlets including CNN, New York Times, Reuters, US News, etc.
5. Xu S, Kwa M, Agarwal A, Rademaker A, Kundu RV. Sunscreen product performance and other determinants of consumer preferences. JAMA dermatology. 2016;152(8):920-927. Covered by various news outlets including CNN, NBC News, The Today Show, Washington Post, etc.

Invited Lectures and Conference Presetations

1. Kwa M, Wong N, Pantelic M, Lim, HW. US and EU Sunscreens: A review of regulation of ultraviolet (UV) filters in the US and EU. Oral presentation presented at: Global Chinese Dermatology Society at the 25^th World Congress of Dermatology, 2023, Singapore.
2. Kwa M. Before the Blade: Current Application and Future Direction for Non-Invasive Imaging for Pigmented Lesions. Oral presentation and panel member at: Session F070 Updates on Melanoma Diagnosis and Therapy at AAD Annual Meeting, 2024, San Diego, CA.