How a gene discovery led to life-changing CF treatments with Dr. Michael Welsh & Dr. Paul Negulescu

What does it take to turn decades of cystic fibrosis research into treatments that can change patients’ lives? In this episode of The Curious Mindset, we sit down with 2026 Canada Gairdner International Award laureates Paul Negulescu and Michael Welsh to explore the research that transformed our understanding and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). From discovering the CFTR gene and understanding how it affects protein function to developing medicines that can restore that function, their work shows what can happen when basic science, industry and collaboration come together. Paul and Michael share the moments they knew their research was working, including the first clinical results that exceeded their expectations, and reflect on the patients who can now make plans for futures they once thought were out of reach. They also discuss curiosity, failure, finding your own path in science, the importance of humanities and empathy, and why—despite extraordinary progress in treating CF—the work is not done yet. ------------------- This interview is part of The Curious Mindset series:    • The Curious Mindset   Presented in partnership with: Gairdner Foundation - https://www.gairdner.org/ RCIScience - https://www.rciscience.ca/ The Curious Mindset series is sponsored by Telus Health and hosted by Carrie Boyce (Executive Director, RCIScience) and Celia Du (Programs Manager, RCIScience). Video production by Elias Harisis, 2Frames Media, http://2frames.ca/ Special thank you to: Michael J. Welsh, MD, Roy J. Carver Professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Director, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute; Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Learn more about Dr. Welsh: https://www.gairdner.org/winner/micha... Paul Negulescu, Ph.D.,Senior Vice President, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Learn more about Dr. Negulescu: https://www.gairdner.org/winner/paul-... ------------------- 00:00 - Receiving the Gairdner Award 01:14 - Celebrating scientific teamwork 02:06 - How discoveries become medicines 03:47 - The roles of academia and industry 04:30 - Finding inspiration in others' work 06:17 - Meeting through the CF community 08:09 - Why pursue cystic fibrosis research 09:09 - Finding a path to patients 11:30 - Taking an unexpected career path 13:36 - Advice for young researchers 14:55 - Following your own path 17:25 - The value of curiosity 19:26 - A breakthrough clinical trial 21:54 - Learning from failure 23:27 - Early signs of success 24:48 - Discovering a passion for science 27:26 - How CF affects salt and water transport 29:21 - The emotional weight of the work 32:52 - Seeing patients plan for the future 35:54 - The power of investing in science 37:37 - Lessons in humility and leadership 39:18 - Dreams beyond science 41:59 - Bringing the humanities into science 44:37 - Choosing a walk-up song 45:47 - The work is not done yet