05/10/2026
💜💚💙
Today, we join the global neonatal and HIE community in mourning the loss of Dr. Alistair Gunn from New Zealand 🇳🇿 — who we affectionately dubbed as the “godfather of cooling”.
Professor Gunn’s work fundamentally changed the future for babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy around the world. Through decades of rigorous research, scientific curiosity, and unwavering dedication, he helped transform therapeutic hypothermia from an idea into a lifesaving standard of care — changing outcomes for countless children and families.
For many in our community, his work is deeply personal. Because of the science he helped build, babies were given time, possibility, and hope. Families who once would have had no options were given a path forward. His impact extends far beyond journals, lectures, and laboratories — it lives in the children growing, learning, laughing, and living fuller lives today.
We are also grateful for the way he continued to push the field forward, asking hard questions, mentoring emerging researchers, and advocating for better understanding of neonatal brain injury and neuroprotection throughout his career.
He was always incredibly encouraging of the work we are building here at Hope for HIE, and our leadership was fortunate to spend many meaningful opportunities at conferences and meetings over the last few years learning from him, and just soaking up his humor, and perspectives on life.
At Hope for HIE, we honor not only the extraordinary scientific legacy Professor Gunn leaves behind, but also the humanity behind the work.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, trainees, and all those across the world who were influenced by his life and work.
His legacy will continue to shape the future of HIE care for generations to come.
