Every path is winding, and it doesn't matter where you start, you can always make an impact in the life sciences.

In this podcast episode of Pathways in Life Science, we sit down with Carl, the man often described as the "quarterback" of Montreal’s scientific community. Carl discusses his early days in the travel industry and how a single billboard from Air Canada signaled the end of the brick-and-mortar travel agency era, prompting his shift toward the medical and biotech sectors.

We explore his work at TechnoPark Montreal and AdMare BioInnovations, where he focused on turning industrial parks into "destinations." Carl also dives into the financial advantages of investing in Quebec’s biotech scene—from hydro-electric savings to competitive lab space and why he has shared one "encouraging news of the day" every single morning for the last five years.

00:00:00 - Introduction: A colorful pathway from car rentals to the lab

00:01:03 - The Alamo Days: Building global relationships in the travel industry

00:02:10 - Travel Cuts & The Digital Shift: Predicting the end of brick-and-mortar

00:03:25 - The "Sydney, Nova Scotia" Mistake: Why humans still matter in travel

00:04:45 - Pivoting to Opthalmology: Getting closer to the medical sector

00:05:31 - TechnoPark Montreal: Promoting a site for international investment

00:06:17 - "Bringing Life to Life Sciences": The birth of the Ambassador role

00:07:23 - The AdMare Merger: Creating a powerhouse for bio-innovation

00:09:00 - The Serial Networker: Why Carl can't be confined to a 9-to-5 desk

00:10:55 - Technopark as a Destination: Running trails, restaurants, and ecosystems

00:12:43 - The Quebec Advantage: Tax breaks, Hydro-Quebec, and Lab space costs

00:14:43 - Research vs. Revenue: How biotechs survive the "pre-market" years

00:16:30 - Global Missions: Promoting Canadian talent in the US market

00:18:03 - The 5-Year Streak: Why Carl posts "Good News" every single morning

00:19:15 - Future Tech: AI, virtual labs, and the quest for personalized medicine

00:20:54 - Life is Beautiful: Why Carl relates his career to the movie La Vita è Bella