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.