Patricia Lima

Dr. Patricia Lima is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Research Associate in the Department of Medicine at Queen’s University, affiliated with the Queen’s Cardiopulmonary Unit (QCPU) and the Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME). She holds a PhD in Reproductive Immunology from the University of Campinas, Brazil, and specializes in molecular imaging and cytometry. Her research focuses on immune responses in physiological (e.g., pregnancy) and pathological conditions (e.g., cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders), with emphasis on pulmonary hypertension, neutrophil heterogeneity, and endocrine disorders. She leads the Imaging and Cytometry Labs at QCPU, overseeing advanced microscopy and cellular analysis equipment.

Education: PhD in Reproductive Immunology (2012, University of Campinas, Brazil).

Research Interests: Pulmonary hypertension (macrophage polarization, inflammasome activation), neutrophil heterogeneity in sepsis, mitochondrial dynamics in cardiovascular disease, and endocrine disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome. She also investigates the role of sex hormones in immune dimorphism and oxygen-sensing mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Lab & Team: Director of the QCPU Imaging Lab (Leica SP8 MP super-resolution microscope) and Culture/Cytometry Lab (cell sorter and risk-level 2+ facilities). Collaborates with over 30 research projects, providing technical and scientific guidance.

Community Engagement: Volunteer firefighter at Athens Fire Department, founder of Women’s in Science at Queen’s (WiSQ), and annual leader of Muscular Dystrophy Canada fundraising campaigns.