Cleverson De Souza

Cleverson De Souza,

Associate Professor – Clinical Pathology

Department: Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine
Business Phone: (352) 294-4153
Business Email: cdesouza@ufl.edu

About Cleverson De Souza

Dr. Souza obtained his DVM in 1999 from Universidade Federal do Parana, Brazil. He then completed a two-year residency program in Clinical Pathology at São Paulo State University (UNESP-Botucatu) in Brazil. Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Science in Clinical Pathology at the Federal University of Santa Maria in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After gaining veterinary clinical pathology experience at the University of Passo Fundo in Rio Grande do Sul, Dr. Souza joined Dr. Douglas J. Weiss’s lab at the University of Minnesota. There, he researched the molecular pathogenesis of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and completed an accelerated residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology, achieving specialty board certification from the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP).

Between 2009 and 2012, Dr. Souza shared his expertise in general pathology with MD and DDS students at various Brazilian universities, including the University of Fortaleza, UniChristus, and the Federal University of Ceará. Over the following decade (2013-2023), he held a faculty position at Washington State University (2019-2023 as a tenured associate professor), serving as a clinical pathologist.

Currently, Dr. Souza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine at the University of Florida. He dedicates his efforts to service, teaching, and research.

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Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2023-2024
VEM5221 Intro Clinic Pathol
2023-2024
VEM5854 Clinical Pathology
2023-2024
VEM5855 Clkship Clin Pathol
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy centers on evidence-based learning strategies that promote long-term retention and mastery. I aim to create an interactive, inclusive environment focused on participation, reflection, and self-directed learning through real-world group projects and discussions. In the near-term, I plan to incorporate AI tools to personalize and adapt to individual students’ needs. Specifically, I will leverage AI to connect new and old content, provide quick feedback, and give insights into student progression. Moving forward, I wish to fully integrate AI to build metacognitive skills for self-assessment and strategy adjustment. Overall, my approach looks to empower students to own their continual learning process, equip them with technological skills for lifelong success, and motivate them to learn with a growth mindset focused on effort and mastery.

Board Certifications

  • Clinical Pathology
    American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP)

Research Profile

Numerous focus areas are being pursued to advance the veterinary field, encompassing basic, clinical, and educational research. Key areas of investigation include:

Basic research: Characterizing a peptide-based vaccine against Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis (MAP) in bovine

Clinical research: (1) Utilizing nanomaterials and dendritic cells to enhance immune responses against malignant tumors in dogs, (2) Validating new monoclonal antibodies for detecting lymphoma in canine patients, (3) Applying machine learning and deep learning techniques to aid the diagnosis of lymphoma and leukemias in dogs, (4) Studying aspects of the immune response in exotic animal species

Educational research: Leveraging AI-powered chatbots to provide personalized and adaptive learning support to veterinary students, with the goal of augmenting their learning experiences and enhancing mastery of course content

Areas of Interest
  • Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy
  • Clinical pathology of mammals
  • Immunology of exotic species
  • Vaccine immunology
  • Veterinary Education

Publications

2024
Cytologic features of canine melanotroph and corticotroph pituitary adenomas.
Veterinary clinical pathology. 53(1):99-103 [DOI] 10.1111/vcp.13311. [PMID] 38238980.
2024
Use of RNA-seq to identify genes encoding cytokines and chemokines activated following uptake and processing a candidate peptide vaccine developed against Mycobacterium aviumsubsp. paratuberculosis
Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 46 [DOI] 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm002723. [PMID] 38282832.
2022
Preliminary Evaluation of an Autologous Dendritic Cell Vaccine Using Nanoparticle Technology for the Treatment of Canine Malignant Melanoma
American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences. 9(1):84-96 [DOI] doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20210901.21.
2022
Salmon poisoning disease in dogs: clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.
Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine. 44 [DOI] 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004822. [PMID] 36475066.
2019
A peptide-based vaccine for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis.
Vaccine. 37(21):2783-2790 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.040. [PMID] 31003915.
2018
A Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis relA deletion mutant and a 35 kDa major membrane protein elicit development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes with ability to kill intracellular bacteria.
Veterinary research. 49(1) [DOI] 10.1186/s13567-018-0549-3. [PMID] 29941017.
2017
A nano particle vector comprised of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid and monophosphoryl lipid A and recombinant Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis peptides stimulate a pro-immune profile in bovine macrophages.
Journal of applied microbiology. 123(1):54-65 [DOI] 10.1111/jam.13491. [PMID] 28502107.
2016
In Vitro Evaluation of the Biological Responses of Canine Macrophages Challenged with PLGA Nanoparticles Containing Monophosphoryl Lipid A.
PloS one. 11(11) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0165477. [PMID] 27835636.
2015
Blocking the mitogen activated protein kinase-p38 pathway is associated with increase expression of nitric oxide synthase and higher production of nitric oxide by bovine macrophages infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology. 164(1-2):1-9 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.01.007. [PMID] 25700780.
2015
Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis Recombinant Proteins Modulate Antimycobacterial Functions of Bovine Macrophages.
PloS one. 10(6) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0128966. [PMID] 26076028.
2013
Mannosylated lipoarabinomannans from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis alters the inflammatory response by bovine macrophages and suppresses killing of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium organisms.
PloS one. 8(9) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0075924. [PMID] 24098744.
2008
Bovine monocyte TLR2 receptors differentially regulate the intracellular fate of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium.
Journal of leukocyte biology. 83(1):48-55 [PMID] 17913973.
2008
Effects of nuclear factor-kappaB on regulation of cytokine expression and apoptosis in bovine monocytes exposed to Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.
American journal of veterinary research. 69(6):804-10 [DOI] 10.2460/ajvr.69.6.804. [PMID] 18518662.
2008
Review paper: modulation of mononuclear phagocyte function by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.
Veterinary pathology. 45(6):829-41 [DOI] 10.1354/vp.45-6-829. [PMID] 18984786.
2008
Role of cell membrane receptors in the suppression of monocyte anti-microbial activity against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.
Microbial pathogenesis. 44(3):215-23 [PMID] 18079089.
2007
Cell membrane receptors on bovine mononuclear phagocytes involved in phagocytosis of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.
American journal of veterinary research. 68(9):975-80 [PMID] 17764412.
2007
Role of the MAPK(ERK) pathway in regulation of cytokine expression by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis-exposed bovine monocytes.
American journal of veterinary research. 68(6):625-30 [PMID] 17542695.
2007
Role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in the differential response of bovine monocytes to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium.
Microbes and infection. 9(14-15):1545-52 [PMID] 18035573.
2006
Mitogen activated protein kinase p38 pathway is an important component of the anti-inflammatory response in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis-infected bovine monocytes.
Microbial pathogenesis. 41(2-3):59-66 [PMID] 16716561.
2006
Mucosal immune response in cattle with subclinical Johne’s disease.
Veterinary pathology. 43(2):127-35 [PMID] 16537930.
2006
Regulation by Jun N-terminal kinase/stress activated protein kinase of cytokine expression in Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis-infected bovine monocytes.
American journal of veterinary research. 67(10):1760-5 [PMID] 17014329.
2005
A critical role of interleukin-10 in the response of bovine macrophages to infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.
American journal of veterinary research. 66(4):721-6 [PMID] 15900955.
2005
Expression of interleukin-10 and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 associated with susceptibility of cattle to infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.
American journal of veterinary research. 66(7):1114-20 [PMID] 16111147.

Education

Residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology
2008-2009 · University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, St Paul, MN
Ph.D
2003-2008 · University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN
MS Immunology track
2001-2002 · Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
Residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology
2000-2001 · UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
1994-1999 · Federal University of Parana, PR, Brazil

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 294-4153
Emails:
Business:
cdesouza@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Street:
2015 SW 16TH AVE
GAINESVILLE FL 32608