Renowned Stanford Sleep Researcher Dies Of Cancer

PALO ALTO, CA — An 80-year-old sleep researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine has died due to complications from spreading prostate cancer, university officials announced Monday.

Christian Guilleminault, born in Marseilles, France, came to Stanford as a visiting assistant professor in 1972 and became the associate director of the university's sleep clinic, which he later helped expand into a full-service center known as the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center.

Guilleminault joined Stanford faculty in 1980, became a tenured professor in 1994 and co-authored more than 800 journal articles on narcolepsy, sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome, snoring and other mostly sleep-related topics.

William Dement, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences with whom Guilleminault co-founded the official publication of the Sleep Research Society, said he feels fortunate to have worked with Guilleminault to make sleep disorders medicine a legitimate clinical specialty.

"Through contributions as a clinician and scientist, Dr. Guilleminault helped pioneer the field of sleep medicine," said Dr. Lloyd Minor, dean of the university's School of Medicine.Guilleminault, a father of two, died at Stanford Hospital on July 9 with his wife by his side, according to the university.

—Bay City News