Gilles Paradis is the main link between McGill University and public health activities in Quebec and nationally. He holds an Applied Public Health Research Chair and is a world-renown researcher in cardiac epidemiology. He was among the first to document cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and has been a proponent of community-based preventive interventions. In various important endeavours Gilles has proven to be an exceptionally successful leader, including editorship of CJPH. In Quebec he has transformed the landscape of public health research in his capacity as Scientific Director of the Réseau québécois and through his transdisciplinary research training program.