Gordon Giesbrecht, Ph.D. is a professor of thermophysiology at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Gordon runs the Laboratory for Exercise and Environmental Medicine where he studies human responses to exercise/work in extreme environments.

Gordon loves the outdoors and combines practical experience as a wilderness instructor with 20 years of human cold research. He has conducted hundreds of laboratory and field trials, which have led to publication of over 100 articles about cold physiology and pre-hospital care for human hypothermia.

Gordon is a former board member of the Wilderness Medical Society. He has been dubbed “Professor Popsicle” by Outside magazine and “Dr. Cool” by Reader’s Digest, and has been featured on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel and various national television networks.

Gordon has developed an effective strategy for educating the public and professionals alike about the risks and realities of cold. Through several media efforts, including a guest appearance on the “Late Show With David Letterman”, Gordon has popularized effective slogans such as “1 minute – 10 minutes – 1 hour” regarding ice water immersion, and “Seatbelts – Children – Windows – Out” regarding escaping from vehicles in water. Gordon’s passion to conduct research that makes a difference is stressed by his laboratory motto “Vitas Salvantes” which is Latin for “saving lives”.

Gordon is currently on leave for one year from the University of Manitoba and is serving as president of Horizon College and Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.