David Layzell led the University of Calgary’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Economy from 2008 to 2012. Between 1998 and 2008, Layzell established and led Biocap Canada, a national research foundation focused on developing biology-based solutions to climate change and issues relating to energy security. He is also the co-founder of Qubit Systems Inc., a university spin-off company that designs, builds, and markets instruments for research and teaching in the biological and environmental sciences.