Mayson Sousa, PhD

Mechanical ventilation is a lifesaving intervention for patients with respiratory failure, but improper settings can lead to lung injury, diaphragm dysfunction, and poor patient outcomes. Dr. Mayson Sousa’s research focuses on optimizing mechanical ventilation strategies to improve respiratory care and reduce complications in critically ill patients.

His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, with a focus on:

• Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and how mechanical ventilation settings impact lung health
• Patient-ventilator interaction to improve synchronization and reduce ventilator dependence
• Ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD) and strategies to preserve respiratory muscle function

An expert in advanced respiratory monitoring, Sousa utilizes electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and esophageal pressure measurements to develop personalized ventilation strategies. His findings contribute to more effective, patient-centered respiratory care and inform best practices for mechanical ventilation management.

Beyond critical care, Sousa’s research extends to health professionals’ education and telehealth, with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare.

Research themes

• Critical care
• Health professionals education
• Mechanical ventilation

Keywords

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Advanced respiratory monitoring technologies
• Large animal models of lung injury
• Long-term outcomes
• Mechanical ventilation
• Patient-ventilator interaction
• Respiratory physiology

Mayson Sousa is an assistant professor in the Department of Respiratory Therapy at the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. His research focuses on optimizing mechanical ventilation strategies for patients with respiratory failure, with particular attention to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), patient-ventilator interaction, and ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). Sousa is an expert in advanced respiratory monitoring techniques, including electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and esophageal pressure measurements, which are essential tools for tailoring individualized mechanical ventilation strategies.

Dr. Sousa’s work also explores health professionals’ education and telehealth, with a commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare. He is actively involved in mentoring students and has contributed to developing online training programs for healthcare workers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Sousa earned his bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from the State University of Piaui in Brazil. He completed a clinical fellowship in cardiopulmonary physical therapy at the Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, before pursuing a PhD in pneumonology at the University of São Paulo, which he completed in 2019. He further honed his expertise with a postdoctoral fellowship in critical care and translational medicine at the University of Toronto (2021-2023), where he co-led experimental studies and mentored research fellows.

His research has earned recognition through the MECOR Graduate Scholarship Award from the American Thoracic Society, which he received at conferences in Dallas (2019) and San Diego (2018).

Dr. Sousa continues to contribute to advancements in critical care, mechanical ventilation, and respiratory physiology, while mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Education

• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine and Translational Medicine, University of Toronto, 2021–2023
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sciences, Pneumology, University of São Paulo, 2016–2019
• Clinical Fellowship in Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, University of São Paulo, 2012–2013
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physical Therapy, State University of Piauí, 2007–2011

Awards

2019

• MECOR Graduate Scholarship Award, American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference, Dallas, Texas

2018

• MECOR Graduate Scholarship Award, American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference, San Diego, California