SUMMARY
Max A. Hawkes, M.D., has a wide-ranging interest in neurocritical care and stroke research. His principal area of investigation focuses on refining blood pressure management for individuals with acute stroke, with a particular emphasis on intracerebral hemorrhage. Dr. Hawkes' main objective is to create precision medicine models that incorporate patient-specific characteristics to define optimal treatment goals. He is affiliated with the Neural Engineering and Precision Surgery Laboratory at Mayo Clinic and leads the translation of neuronavigation-guided neurosurgical techniques to the intensive care unit.
Focus areas
- Acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Dr. Hawkes studies neuroradiological and clinical outcomes in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. These patients have undergone intensive blood pressure lowering according to the location of the hemorrhage.
- Racial and ethnic backgrounds in intracerebral hemorrhage. Dr. Hawkes evaluates acute and subacute blood pressure trajectories in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, with a focus on the influence of racial and ethnic background.
- New stereotactic technologies. Dr. Hawkes develops and validates new stereotactic technologies for emergent external ventricular drain placement in the intensive care unit.
- Acute neurological conditions. Dr. Hawkes develops research programs simulating acute neurological conditions.
- Artificial intelligence. Dr. Hawkes develops applications of artificial intelligence in the neurosciences intensive care unit.
Significance to patient care
Providing personal care to individuals with intracerebral hemorrhage is important. Racial and ethnic backgrounds can influence blood pressure behavior after an intracerebral hemorrhage. In addition, different types of intracerebral hemorrhages respond differently to blood pressure-lowering treatments. Similarly, introducing precise stereotactic technologies for bedside intensive care procedures may enhance patient care.
Dr. Hawkes' research projects obtain patient- and condition-specific data that help shift the traditional one-size-fits-all treatment approach to a personalized, patient-centered model. Similarly, stereotactic techniques and neuronavigation, currently used in neurosurgical operating rooms for optimal precision and safety, may be adapted for use in the intensive care unit. These invasive techniques may be used at the bedside with maximal accuracy depending on patients' unique anatomy.
Professional highlights
- Associate director, Neural Engineering and Precision Surgery Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, 2024-present.
- Section editor, Hemorrhagic Stroke, Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 2023-present.
- Member, editorial board, Neurocritical Care, 2022-present.
- Ph.D. scholarship, Deakin University, Australia, 2024-2028.