Meet Mathieu-Marc Poulin. Inventing new technologies to deliver medication through the skin.

Innovations in biotechnology are providing methods to deliver medication through the skin, increasingly we are able to directly treat the affected area of the body in a non-invasive method.

Name: Mathieu-Marc Poulin
Title: R&D Laboratory Technician
Organization: Delivra Inc.
Background: Biotechnology

I am most passionate about… research. I feel accomplished when my efforts help to generate interesting, reproducible results in a given research and development project. Right now I am focused on creating innovative methods to deliver medication through the skin. It’s fascinating to be at the forefront of new discoveries. The research I conducted along with our team of scientists will result in products for sleep disorders and veterinary use. It’s great to be part of that.

I chose a career in biotech because… the field interested me greatly. I saw it as studying the workings of life’s complex systems and using the gained knowledge to serve humanity’s purposes in seemingly limitless ingenious ways. I wanted to be a part of that. To use life to help lives, you could say.

I am most proud about… the skills and the knowledge I have gained through hard work. When I am part of a group, nothing brings me more pride than knowing my contribution to the team is leading to new discoveries that are impacting lives. It is especially rewarding to know our team’s hard work has led to funding from Canada’s National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, to continue to research and develop new transdermal delivery systems. I want to learn more and continue to become better.

What’s the best part about working in biotech? There are so many different tests to run, so many avenues of research to explore, and everything is in constant flux. Working in biotech is a continuous and fulfilling learning experience that just keeps on getting more and more interesting as you progress. And then, at the end of the day, your discoveries are helping real people. If you want to face new challenges often and keep learning to apply new methods at every turn, biotech is the place to be.

How has wage subsidy impacted your career? As a recent graduate, the Biotalent Canada wage subsidy program has greatly helped me to place myself in a working environment in my field of study. This has permitted me to acquire hands-on experience in the workplace and it also gave me the opportunity to show my worth to the company I work for. This program is very helpful in opening doors into the bioscience workspace. Plus, the guidance and constructive criticism of my coworkers have given me the tools I need to better myself. The completion of the program has granted me much experience and allowed me to develop the skills I need to work efficiently and effectively in the domain of biological and biotechnological research and development.

To other recent graduates I would say… I definitely recommend finding a wage-subsidy program for graduates (like the Biotalent Canada’s Career Focus program). It’s a great way to start networking and honing your skills in a work environment. I would also say, when you do start to work in biotech, try to focus on generating reliable results and unbiased conclusions, rather than hoping for the “success” of your hypothesis. Data is data: It speaks for itself.

Most-admired scientist: Otto Frederick Rohwedder (1880-1960), the man who invented sliced bread. It was the greatest thing since wrapped bread (ha, ha).  Seriously though, I have met many scientists who inspired me, and I know of many others who changed our world forever. How should I go about choosing which of them I admire most? I don’t know.

Favourite pastimes: Swimming, reading.

Favourite Book: “Dune” by Frank Herbert.

Favourite destination: Australia.