Brian was a tireless investigator whose capacity for research excellence was exceptional in the fields of anesthesiology and critical care. He was highly productive as both a preclinical and a clinical investigator, all the while juggling senior administrative roles and major editorial commitments. He had that rare ability to move seamlessly between the bedside and the laboratory, always asking fundamental and difficult questions.

The awards continued to accrue throughout his career, and his research was ultimately recognized by a Fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and Honorary Fellowship in the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland. In June 2019, he received a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, one of the most prestigious sources of support awarded to Canadian scientists.