Paul Kubes: A Legacy of Excellence

Paul Kubes joined the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and the GI Research Group in 1991, fresh from an incredibly productive postdoctoral fellowship with Neil Granger, at Louisiana State University. A physiologist with a focus on the microcirculation and inflammation, Paul pioneered the use of intravital microscopy to study leukocyte recruitment and trafficking. Even in those early days, whether on the soccer field, in the bar or leading his lab, Paul’s exuberance and passion shone through. As someone who has known Paul since that time, I can honestly say, Paul’s enthusiasm has never diminished. He is as excited for new discoveries today as he was when he made the first observations of rolling leukocytes in postcapillary venules in a chronic setting (J Exp Med, 1996), established the directional cues that guide neutrophils to sites of sterile inflammation in the liver (Science, 2010), or visualized alveolar macrophages in the infected lung (Cell, 2020). 

Paul has a gift for simplifying the complexities of biology and solving problems with a clarity that is unmatched. I will share a few particularly impactful examples. As a postdoctoral fellow, he discovered that nitric oxide was an endogenous modulator of neutrophil recruitment (PNAS, 1991). This work, that is cited over 4000 times, has laid the groundwork for therapeutic advances for the treatment of pediatric and adult pulmonary disorders and led to countless other studies on the role of nitric oxide in inflammation. He discovered the alpha4-integrin/VCAM-1 pathway of neutrophil recruitment in human disease (Nature Med, 2001). He revealed how platelets activate neutrophil extracellular traps to ensnare bacteria in the blood of patients with severe sepsis (Nature Med, 2007). As well, he determined the mechanism for systemic immunosuppression after a stroke (Science, 2011). Further, he showed that a reservoir of cavity macrophages can move rapidly to effect tissue repair in the viscera (Cell, 2016) and he extended those observations to reveal a cardioprotective role for cavity macrophages in pericardial fluid (Immunity, 2019). These findings argue for the re-evaluation of surgical open-heart procedures that remove the pericardium.  Lastly, he found monocytes function as a cellular rheostat by regulating adipocyte-derived leptin levels and revascularization during wound repair after Staphylococcus aureus infection (Nature, 2022). These few examples are a fraction of the over 400 original papers and reviews Paul has published. 

Whilst Paul’s legacy of outstanding publications will live on in the literature, those he trained represent a more tangible legacy, and that too is unparalleled. Whilst others in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, like Joe Davison (Sharkey), Bob French (Zamponi), Jaideep Bains (Gordon, Sargin) and Gerald Zamponi (Altier) have had one or two of their trainees subsequently recruited to our faculty, Paul has eight. Those recruited to the CSM include Donna-Marie McCafferty (Physiology and Pharmacology), Margaret Kelly (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), Craig Jenne (Microbiology Immunology and Infectious Diseases), Bryan Yipp (Critical Care Medicine), Chris Waterhouse (Pediatrics), Braedon McDonald (Critical Care Medicine), Bas Surewaard (Microbiology Immunology and Infectious Diseases), and Justin Deniset (Physiology and Pharmacology). In addition to this, his trainees (almost 100) are found throughout the world in leadership positions in academia, medicine, and industry. Sharing their thoughts,

Donna-Marie writes: As one of PK’s earliest trainees, I can remember when he still carried out experiments in the lab!  He was an important role model, sharing his passion for both science and sport, always demonstrating a strong work ethic. He coached me to the next level, in my career, by providing many opportunities for my success in science, as well as on the soccer field. 

Margaret Kelly writes: Paul’s intellect, research-smarts, his unfailing ability to recognise what the important questions are and ability to cut through unimportant data to find the pearls goes without saying. Paul is driven to make the world and the lot of humanity better through advancing science. Everything else he does flows from this. He is tireless in helping all his students and post-docs reach their full potential and constantly inspired me to reach higher. Paul is true to his word and holds others accountable when necessary. He is unique and irreplaceable, and I am very grateful and proud to have been a post-doc in his lab.

Bryan Yipp writes: Paul was an unwavering driving force in establishing a viable career path for me as a medically trained bench scientist. His support and vision created my lab as he pushed for the infrastructure and provided the mentorship I needed to build a productive research program.  His scientific productivity has shaped our lab mentality to aim high with an emphasis of quality over quantity.

When Paul came to Calgary, immunology as an independent subdiscipline was nascent, with only a handful of individuals. Paul, together with John Reynolds and Dean Befus, led the development of the Immunology Research Group, which Paul chaired from 1996 until 2003, after which he became the first Director of the Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. He led the Snyder Institute for 16 years, from 2004 until 2020. Since the mid-1990’s, under Paul’s leadership, the Immunology Research Group has grown to over 25 members, with thriving research and teaching programs. 

Paul’s legacy as a leader extends beyond his chairmanship of research groups. Through a desire to greatly enhance the research environment in the CSM, in 2005, Paul led a successful CFI application entitled “Institute for inflammatory diseases: A common focus for improvement of health” ($20M). Amongst other things, this established the Snyder Live Cell Imaging Laboratory, a resource now used by dozens of faculty members from almost every one of the CSM institutes. In 2015, he led the creation of the Western Canadian Microbiome Centre, now the International Microbiome Centre ($25M) which has had a dramatic impact on research at the CSM, and in 2020, another CFI, the Wild Microbiome and Immunity Centre ($12.5M), that is currently in the final stages of development on the Spyhill campus. In 2023, Paul once again gained support from CFI, through the Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund for an expansion of the Level 3 facility for a project entitled “Imaging pathogens in living organisms at single cell resolution” ($16.4M). It would be fair to say that Paul’s contributions to advancing and developing state-of-the-art infrastructure in the CSM are unrivalled. 

 

Paul’s personal achievements mirror his tremendous accomplishments as a leader.  These include election to the Royal Society of Canada (2009), the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2023), CIHR Researcher of the Year (2011), and others too numerous to mention.     

The next phase of Paul’s career will see him and family move to Queen’s University, where he holds a Canada Excellence Research Chair in Immunophysiology and Immunotherapy.  But Paul is not cutting his ties with Calgary. He and his CSM colleagues have recently been awarded a CIHR grant on wildfire particles and asthma looking at inflammation through neural and microbial alterations, allowing him to maintain an active program in Calgary for at least the next 5 years. So, we’ll be seeing him around for the foreseeable future – and that is a very good thing!

Thank you, Paul, for leaving a legacy of scientific, mentorship and leadership excellence. Your unwavering commitment and dedication to our Department and the CSM has been remarkable. We offer our most sincere and heartfelt thanks and best wishes for your continued success as you embark on this next phase of your exalted career.