Honouring Rinaldo Bellomo’s tour de force in sepsis research

Abstract

This paper pays tribute to Rinaldo Bellomo’s unparallelled global legacy in sepsis research. As a clinician-scientist, Rinaldo’s unending quest was to improve the lives of our patients with sepsis and septic shock. The breadth of his work encompassed all facets of research methodology from basic science through to large-scale multicentre randomised trials. Seminal papers like the early goal-directed therapy and steroids in septic shock trials have been instrumental in informing international evidence-based sepsis guidelines and changing clinical practice. Above all, he was a pioneering, yet self-effacing, leader. He brought everyone who worked with him along on his journey. His infectious enthusiasm for the next new idea never failed to inspire our community, ensuring that his legacy in sepsis research will continue for many years to come.