UC San Diego · Vascular Neurology & NIH StrokeNet Fellow
Marissa D'Souza, M.D.
Vascular neurology and NIH StrokeNet fellow at UC San Diego. I combine stroke research, clinical informatics, and human-centered design to build healthcare systems that work better in real clinical practice.
Education
2025–Now
Vascular Neurology Fellowship & NIH StrokeNet Fellow
University of California, San Diego
2022–2025
Residency, Neurology
University of Michigan
2021–2022
Internship, Internal Medicine
University of Michigan
2017–2021
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Mercer University School of Medicine
2013–2017
B.S. Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction Track — magna cum laude
Georgia Institute of Technology · Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Technical Skills
Clinical Informatics & EHR
Epic · SmartPhrases · SmartLists · SmartLinks · SmartForms · Stroke Navigator · Diagnosis-Aware Notes · NoteWriter · flowsheet design
Programming
Python · JavaScript · Java · HTML/CSS · MATLAB · R
AI / Generative AI / Data
Generative AI · LLM-based clinical text extraction · NLP · logistic regression · machine learning
Design
Figma · Canva · Adobe Creative Suite · HCI methods · user interviews · prototyping
Quality & Data
TJC stroke metrics · GWTG-Stroke · eCQM · SlicerDicer
3D / Modeling
SolidWorks · Blender
Stroke Projects
Click any card to explore details →
5 subprojects
UCSD Stroke Workflow Redesign
→Ground-up redesign of UCSD stroke documentation, workflow, and quality data capture across Epic. Most significant stroke documentation change at UCSD in ~10 years.
Subprojects
Flowsheet Reduction — 71 rows → 23 neurology-required fields; auto-populate and reassign the rest
Stroke Navigator — single source of truth guiding acute stroke care end-to-end
SmartPhrase / DAN Template — one-touch note generation eliminating triple-entry
Structured Data Elements — real-time quality capture, reviving dormant GWTG toolkit
Order Set Optimization — TNK, heparin nomogram, admission, discharge (STK measures)
View subprojects →
4 aims
FAST-ED Performance Improvement in LVO Triage
→Four-aim program improving prehospital large-vessel occlusion detection through FAST-ED validation, risk-factor augmentation, NLP-based EMS narrative analysis, and EMS education.
Aims
Aim 1 — EMS-documented vs. neurologist-derived FAST-ED for LVO prediction
Aim 2 — FAST-ED+ with clinical risk modifiers (AF, OAC, DM, HTN, prior stroke)
Aim 3 — NLP/LLM classification of EMS narratives for stroke/LVO triage planned
Aim 4 — EMS education and field documentation improvement
View full detail →
3 subprojects
StrokeTrials — Bedside Trial Screening Tool
→Mobile-first decision support for acute stroke trial eligibility and team communication — so clinicians can screen patients during a live stroke code without relying on memory or protocol binders.
Subprojects
Bedside Trial Screener — real-time eligibility logic for all active UCSD stroke trials
Trial Reference Cards — standardized bedside cards for eligibility, outcomes, and key takeaways
DALVO / BEMI Message Generator — auto-generates standardized LVO team communication
View subprojects →
StrokeSpeak / TranslateMD
→App designed to support stroke assessment and treatment conversations in patients with language barriers — covering EMS through ED handoff, treatment decision, and consent.
View details →
Research Projects
HoloStroke — Mixed-Reality Platform for Acute Stroke Care
Collaborative mixed-reality platform standardizing acute stroke assessment and trainee education through interactive, case-based simulation. Co-authored Holo-Stroke-ii inpatient immersion publication (J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 2026).
Cardiac Abnormalities in Stroke Prevention and Risk of Recurrence (CASPR Registry)
Multicenter study exploring cardiac and cervical arterial abnormalities as embolic sources in 2,000–5,000 cryptogenic stroke patients.
Zambian Cohort of Healthy Aging and Dementia
Population-based study of dementia and associated risk factors in Lusaka, Zambia. Rotated at University Teaching Hospital under Deanna Saylor, M.D.; performed cognitive evaluations in a Zambian community clinic.
Optimizing Coordinated Reset Within the Nucleus Accumbens to Attenuate Binge Drinking
Early translational neurotechnology project exploring coordinated reset deep brain stimulation as a potential treatment for binge drinking disorder, bridging neural signal processing, computational modeling, and clinical neurosurgery.
Publications
Siegler JE, D'Souza M, et al. Real-World Practice in Secondary Stroke Prevention following Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Secondary Analysis of the CASPR Registry. Neurol Clin Pract. 2026. In press.
Liu W, Shifflett B, McQuaid T, D'Souza M, et al. Holo-Stroke-ii: Stroke care through stroke hologram teleportation — inpatient immersion. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2026 Jan;35(1):108524.
Pasupuleti D, D'Souza M, Ferguson A, et al. 3D-Printed Oral Disintegrating Films of Brain-Targeted Acetyl Salicylic Acid Nanoparticles for Enhanced CNS Delivery in Ischemic Stroke. Pharmaceutics. 2025 Nov 30;17(12):1547.
Smith MM, Brorson JR, et al. (incl. D'Souza M). Intracranial Occlusion in Cryptogenic Stroke Is Not Predictive of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis of the CASPR Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025. PMID: 40996035.
Siegler JE, Goicoechea EB, et al. (incl. D'Souza M). Outcomes of Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Treated With Antiplatelet Agents or Anticoagulation. Neurology. 2025 Aug 12;105(3):e213876. PMID: 40609061.
Gendreau JL, Kim LH, Prins PN, D'Souza M, et al. Outcomes After Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Versus Stand-Alone ACDF: A Meta-Analysis. Global Spine J. 2020 Dec;10(8):1046–1056. PMID: 32875831.
Delaney SL, Gendreau JL, D'Souza M, Feng AY, Ho AL. Optogenetic Modulation for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury. Stem Cells Dev. 2020 Feb 15;29(4):187–197. PMID: 31559914.
D'Souza M, Chen KS, Rosenberg J, Elias WJ, et al. Impact of skull density ratio on efficacy and safety of MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment of essential tremor. J Neurosurg. 2019;132(5):1392–1397. PMID: 31026836.
Nguyen L, Bowlds S, Juan D, et al. (incl. D'Souza M). Predictors of Pneumothorax (POP) Score. Am Surg. 2019 Sep 1;85(9):e470–e472. PMID: 31638542.
D'Souza M, Gendreau J, Feng A, Kim LH, Ho AL, Veeravagu A. Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery: History, Efficacy, Cost, And Future Trends. Robot Surg. 2019;6:9–23. PMID: 31807602.
D'Souza M, Macdonald NA, Gendreau JL, et al. Graft Materials and Biologics for Spinal Interbody Fusion. Biomedicines. 2019 Sep 26;7(4):75. PMID: 31561556.
Kim LH, D'Souza M, Ho AL, et al. Anterior Techniques in Managing Cervical Disc Disease. Cureus. 2018 Aug 14;10(8):e3146. PMID: 30410821.
Iyer A, D'Souza M, Steinberg GK. Embolization before stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations. J Neurosurg Sci. 2018 Aug;62(4):514–518. PMID: 29582980.
Kolluru LP, Rizvi SA, D'Souza M, D'Souza MJ. Formulation development of albumin based theragnostic nanoparticles as a potential delivery system for tumor targeting. J Drug Target. 2013 Jan;21(1):77–86. PMID: 23036042.
Ravichandran S, Phan CN, D'Souza M, et al. Unilateral Cerebral Microbleeds: A Narrative Review and Proposed Diagnostic Framework. Submitted to Neurology: Clinical Practice (CPJ-2026-300263; passed initial QC, 2026).
Jazayeri SB, Phan C, Pirahanchi Y, et al. (incl. D'Souza M). Association of Early Transcranial Doppler Indices with Outcomes after Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy. Submitted to Stroke (STROKE/2026/055645, 2026).
Additional submissions: Clinical and Applied Thrombosis Hemostasis (CATH-26-04-0159); Journal of Neuroimaging; Journal of Clinical Neuroscience; JSCVD Holo-PACS (2025).
Aboul-Nour H, D'Souza M, et al. Abstract TP302: Single and combination antithrombotics for secondary prevention in ESUS: Secondary analysis of the CASPR Registry. Stroke. 2025;56(Suppl 1):TP302.
Invited Lectures & Conference Presentations
Invited Lectures
"International Stroke Conference Update"
San Diego County Stroke Consortium
2026
"Improving FAST-ED Performance at UCSD"
NIH StrokeNet Committee
2026
"RCVS, PRES, and Inflammatory Vasculopathies"
UCSD Vascular Neurology Fellow Board Series
2026
"Improving FAST-ED Performance at UCSD"
San Diego County Stroke Consortium
2025
"CAA-Related Inflammation (CAA-ri)"
UCSD Neurovascular Conference
2025
"Beyond Free Will: Neuroscience & the Law"
University of Michigan Neurology Grand Rounds
2025
"Neuroradiology Conference" — Conference Leader
U-Michigan Neurology Residency
2023
Fellowship Didactics
"Advanced Neurovascular Board Review"
UCSD Vascular Neurology Fellowship
2026
"Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke"
UCSD Fellowship
2026
"Tenecteplase (TNK) for Ischemic Stroke Beyond the 4.5-Hour Window"
UCSD Fellowship
2026
"Non-Atherosclerotic Intracranial Arteriopathies"
UCSD Fellowship
2026
"CTP Core Detection vs MRI-Confirmed Infarction"
UCSD Fellowship
2026
FAST-ED in LVO Triage: The "Cortical Blind Spot" and How Risk Factors Can Help
D'Souza M, Geib T, Phan C, et al. Poster, ISC 2026
2026
Prognostic value of early TCD and MAP after successful EVT in LVO stroke
Phan C, Shifflett B, D'Souza M, et al. ePoster, ISC 2026
2026
GULP: Guiding Understanding of Dysphagia and Rehabilitation Planning in acute stroke
Hu T, Meyer DM, D'Souza M, et al. ePoster, ISC 2026
2026
White matter disease and recurrent stroke in ESUS: propensity-weighted analysis from CASPR
Khasiyev F, D'Souza M, et al. ePoster, ISC 2026
2026
CYP2C19 variability, ADP binding, and clopidogrel efficacy in acute ischemic stroke
Phan C, D'Souza M, et al. ePoster, ISC 2026
2026
Comprehensive evaluation in ESUS and stroke recurrence: secondary analysis of CASPR
Khan F, D'Souza M, et al. ePoster, ISC 2026
2026
Resource optimization and door-to-puncture improvement through FAST-ED–based team activation
Geib T, Meyer BC, D'Souza M, et al. Accepted, AAN 2026
2026
Impact of skull density ratio on efficacy and safety of MRgFUS for essential tremor
D'Souza M. Oral, AANS Annual Meeting 2019
2019
Optimizing coordinated reset within the nucleus accumbens to attenuate binge drinking
D'Souza M. Oral, Medical Association of Georgia 2018
2018
Clinical Trials
UCSD Site Investigator · 2025–Present
STEP
FASTEST
DISCOVERY
SLEEPSMART
TELEREHAB-2
SISTER
Screening, enrollment, and protocol-adherent follow-up for eligible acute stroke patients across active UCSD-site trials.
Other Technical Work
2022–Now
Neurology Exam Documenter
Web tool generating structured neurologic exam notes from guided input · marissadsouza.com/neuro-exam-documenter
2022–Now
Diplopia Calculator
Interactive localization tool for ocular motility findings · marissadsouza.com/diplopia-calculator
2022–Now
neurplexd
Mobile-first neurology residency protocol reference · neurplexd.com
2017
VADERS — Value Analysis Data Extraction Research System
Machine-learning system to assess quality of orthopedic fracture reduction · Georgia Tech
Leadership & Committees
MiChart Clinical Advisory Committee
Hospital-wide Epic governance committee — advised on clinical workflow, documentation, and EHR usability changes affecting house staff across Michigan Medicine.
House Officer Quality and Safety Council
Multidisciplinary hospital-wide quality and safety committee — reviewed patient safety events including EMR-related issues and contributed to implementable solutions.
Technology Chair, UM Neurology Residency Program
Oversaw program technology infrastructure, digital workflow tools, and onboarding of new educational software for housestaff.
Stroke Mortality Task Force
Departmental task force reviewing stroke mortality cases and identifying documentation, severity-capture, and process opportunities tied to observed-to-expected outcomes.
LCME Steering & Independent Student Analysis Committee
Led student-facing accreditation work including survey design, data analysis, and report development for MUSM LCME accreditation cycle.
Student Body President
Led student advocacy and systems improvement work across the medical school student body.
Honors, Awards & Grants
2025–26
NIH StrokeNet Fellow
UC San Diego · PI: Thomas Hemmen, M.D., Ph.D.
2025
GME Off-Site Rotation Travel Grant
University of Michigan · Global neurology elective, Lusaka, Zambia
2021
Award for Excellence in Service and Advocacy
Mercer University School of Medicine, Class of 2021
2021
Award for Student Excellence in Research
Mercer University School of Medicine
2020
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Medical student honor society
2019
Jocelyn A. Rankin Excellence in Library Research — Honorable Mention ×2
MUSM · Robotic Spine Surgery; Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Meta-Analysis
2018
NREF Summer Research Fellowship
Stanford University School of Medicine · PI: Casey Halpern, M.D.
Certifications, Affiliations & Memberships
Certifications & Licensure
- California Medical License — 2025–Present
- California Controlled Substances License — 2025
- NIHSS Certification — 2025
- MoCA Certification — 2025
- ACLS — 2021–Present
- Michigan Medical License — 2021–2025
Professional Memberships
- American Heart Association — Stroke Council
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- American Academy of Neurology
- American Medical Association
- Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Society
Hospital Affiliations — Jul 2025–Present
- UCSD Medical Center – Hillcrest
- UCSD Health La Jolla / Jacobs Medical Center / Sulpizio CV Center
- UCSD East Campus Medical Center
- VA San Diego Healthcare System
- El Centro Regional Medical Center
- Inland Valley Medical Center
- Rancho Springs Regional Medical Center
Teaching & Volunteer Service
Small Group & Bedside Teaching
2023–2025
Small Group Leader, UM Medical Student Localization Rounds
2023–2025
UM Neurology Resident Journal Club
2021
Small Group Leader, MUSM Clinical Neurosciences
2020–2021
Peer Tutor, MUSM Pre-Clinical Peer Instructors
2020–2021
Neuroscience Block Review Sessions, MUSM
Volunteer & Community Outreach
2017–2020
Special Pops Tennis & Pickleball Coach
Coached clinics for individuals with intellectual disabilities
2020
COVID-19 Response Team Founder, Georgia
Founded statewide initiative: grocery delivery, contact tracing, blood drives, PPE fundraisers
2020
GA Dept. of Public Health COVID-19 Volunteer & Contact Tracer
2018–2019
Rock n' Roll Savannah Half Marathon Fundraiser & Medical Volunteer
Fundraised $660 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
2016–2018
Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Rehab Volunteer & Fitness Coach
2017
Missionaries of the Poor of Manila Volunteer
Manila, Philippines
Get in touch
Interested in collaborating on clinical informatics, stroke systems, digital health, or healthcare innovation?
San Diego, CA