Richard Keijzer, MD, MSc, PhD, FACS

  • Portrait of Dr. Richard Keijzer

  • Professor and associate dean (research)

    Max Rady College of Medicine
    Department of Surgery
    Room JBRC 600 - 715 McDermot Avenue
    University of Manitoba
    Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4

    Phone: 204-787-1246
    Fax: 204-787-4618
    richard.keijzer@umanitoba.ca

Cross-appointments

  • Pediatrics and child health, Max Rady College of Medicine
  • Physiology and pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine

Research summary

Dr.  Richard Keijzer is a pioneering researcher in the field of pediatric surgery and congenital anomalies, with a particular focus on congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and abnormal lung development.

His cutting-edge research delves into the mechanisms of normal and abnormal lung development due to CDH, with the ultimate goal of developing a prenatal therapeutic intervention to improve the outcomes for babies born with this condition.

Using state-of-the-art techniques, he is uncovering the role of microRNAs and circular RNAs in the pathogenesis of CDH, and his findings have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach the treatment of this debilitating condition.

As a pediatric surgeon-scientist and the Thorlakson Chair in Surgical Research, Dr.  Keijzer is uniquely qualified to bring his research from the laboratory to the bedside, where it can make a real impact on the lives of children and their families.

He is also a member of the Biology of Breathing theme at CHRIM and the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group, his work is well respected by his peers and has won multiple awards and recognitions.

Biography

Dr.  Richard Keijzer is a professor in the Department of Surgery at the Max Rady College of Medicine.

He received his MD (with honours), PhD (medicine) and Master of Science (molecular medicine) from ErasmusMC in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Prior to starting his specialist training, he completed a one-year research fellowship (as part of his PhD) at the lung biology program of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

He received his training in General Surgery at ErasmusMC and did a postdoctoral fellowship in psychiatry and experimental medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

He then finished his pediatric general surgery training at ErasmusMC-Sophia and completed a pediatric endoscopic surgery fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Alabama.

He subsequently moved to Canada to pursue a career as a pediatric surgeon-scientist at the University of Manitoba and the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

He is the Thorlakson Chair in Surgical Research and is the Director of Research for the Department of Surgery at the University of Manitoba.

Dr.  Keijzer was the first pediatric surgeon-scientist funded in the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP) and he is currently the Chair of the Selection Committee and Co-Director of CCHCSP.

In 2018, he became the Site Director for Surgery in HSC-Children’s Hospital.

  • Education

    Fellowship in Pediatric Endoscopic Surgery at the Children's Hospital of Alabama (2010)

    Pediatric Surgery Training at ErasmusMC-Sophia, Rotterdam (2008-2009)

    General Surgery Training at ErasmusMC, Rotterdam (2004-2006)

    Master of Science in Molecular Medicine from Erasmus University Rotterdam (2004)

    PhD from Erasmus University Rotterdam (2001)

    Medical Doctor degree in Medicine from Erasmus University Rotterdam (1997)

  • Awards

    2021:

    • Travelling Fellow for the James IV Association of Surgeons

    2020:

    • Pediatric Chairs of Canada COVID Leadership Award
    • Second and third best presentation award at the Annual Child Health Research Days, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba

    2013:

    • New Investigator Salary Award from CIHR/Manitoba Lung Association/Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba

    2012:

    • Career Development Award from the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program
    • Endowed Thorlakson Chair in Surgical Research

Contact us

Surgery
Max Rady College of Medicine
AE101-820 Sherbrook Street
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9 Canada

204-787-4587
204-787-1485
204-787-4884