Richard Kimoff

Richard Kimoff is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) at the Glen site. He is affiliated with the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program within the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) and serves in the Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine at the McGill University Health Centre.

Dr. Kimoff's educational background includes:

• BSc in Anatomical Sciences from McGill University (1977)
• MSc in Pathology from McGill University (1983)
• MD from McGill University (1983)
• FRCP (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians) in Internal and Pulmonary Medicine (1989)

Dr. Kimoff's research program focuses on sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) across three primary themes. His work on innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies has led to important contributions in developing novel approaches for identifying and treating sleep apnea. His investigations into upper airway neuromuscular dysfunction have provided critical insights into how sensory afferents in the upper airway determine sleep apnea severity, with his research demonstrating that attenuation of upper airway mechanoreceptor function plays a critical role in impaired end-apneic arousal in obstructive sleep apnea patients. In the cardiovascular and reproductive health domain, his work examines the intersection of sleep disorders with congestive heart failure and investigates the adverse effects of maternal sleep-disordered breathing on pregnancy outcomes.

Dr. Kimoff's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on clinical applications of sleep medicine research, particularly examining how sleep-disordered breathing affects cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure patients and impacts pregnancy outcomes. His work spans multiple disciplines including cardiology, neurology, and obstetrics, reflecting the systemic nature of sleep-disordered breathing consequences.

Dr. Kimoff directs the Sleep Laboratory at the Royal Victoria Hospital and has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQ-S), industry partners, and the MS Society of Canada. His research includes both pathophysiologic studies on respiratory mechanisms during sleep and clinical investigations with practical applications for diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.

As an academic leader, Dr. Kimoff contributes to medical education through his professorship at McGill University and through his role directing the Sleep Laboratory. His work bridges basic science, clinical research, and practical patient care applications, making significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing and its systemic consequences.