Professional Profile: Gul Dusi

Gul Dusi, national life sciences industry lead for Project and Development Services (PDS) for Americas Markets with JLL

Commercial real estate company JLL has appointed Gul Dusi as the national life sciences industry lead for Project and Development Services (PDS) for Americas Markets.

Lab Design News spoke to Gul about the experiences that have shaped her professional life, her unfortunate encounter with freshly poured concrete on a job site, and achieving a sustainably designed lab.

Q: How did you get started in your career? Did you major in your field in college, get an internship, switch careers mid-stream, etc.?

A: I studied architecture at ODTU in Turkey, which allowed me to obtain my license. Later, I pursued a master of science in building construction at the University of Florida in the US. My goal was to stay in the architecture field in order to make a positive impact on the industry and create spaces that would influence people's lives. However, I ended up working for Bovis Lend Lease in Bethesda, MD, where I was involved in high-profile projects including mixed-use developments, historical restorations, luxury hotels, high-end residential properties, and retail spaces.

Q: What are some of your career highlights so far?

A: Early trauma in my life led me to aspire to work in the healthcare market. While I couldn't become a doctor, I aimed to utilize my skills as an architect and construction manager to create spaces that would support doctors and researchers in building their ideal facilities.

One of the projects I worked on was a large renovation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which had been conducting research for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for five years. Despite the project's complexity and relatively small scale, it was successful. This achievement led to a strong relationship with the researcher, who nominated the project for awards. As a result, NIH asked the company I was working for to enter into a Master Service Agreement (MSA). Subsequently, we completed $50-$75 million worth of work annually. I had the opportunity to work on various buildings within the NIH Campus in Bethesda and developed meaningful relationships with researchers who contributed to finding cures for my family. My experiences at NIH significantly shaped both my professional and personal life.

Q: If you weren't in this profession, what job would you like to have instead?

A: I can’t imagine doing anything else. The design and construction market is a perfect fit for my personality. I am a continuous learner and always seek new challenges. I enjoy growing new businesses and team members, while helping clients create spaces that save people’s lives. I didn’t stumble into my career; I had clear, long-term goals that led me to where I am today. I am very excited to work with JLL because the impact on the design and construction industry, from research to design, construction, and the continuous life cycle of a building, is tremendous.

Q: What is your favorite building, lab-related or not?

A: My favorite building is not lab-related. It is Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. It is a beautiful house where every space is designed with natural light, ventilation, storage, flow, and its heating and cooling system is naturally integrated with the existing waterfall. What amazes me about this project is that Frank Lloyd Wright could design a sustainable house in the 1930s with no technology available to him. I believe that well-designed spaces have a positive impact on people's health and happiness, I try and bring this perspective to every project I work on.

Q: What is the biggest work-related challenge you've faced? How did you overcome it?

A: I was managing multiple overseas projects for Edwards Lifesciences right before COVID-19 struck. During the pandemic, as countries were shutting down their borders and ports were closing, we were in the process of building a manufacturing facility in Costa Rica. The facility required air handling units (AHUs) that were to be shipped from Miami, and the cleanrooms were being shipped from the US, with installation carried out by American tradespeople.

As the borders began to close, we accelerated our efforts and managed to send the equipment to the site before the shutdowns took effect. We couldn't wait for the ordered equipment and materials, so we paid premiums to expedite the procurement process. We trained the local teams via FaceTime videos to install the cleanrooms and certified them as AES cleanroom installers.

The installation went smoothly with minimal quality issues, and despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and its impact on the industry, we were able to deliver the project on time.

Q: What's your typical order when you visit a coffee shop?

A: It is an Americano in Starbucks. If it is a good coffee shop, I like an espresso since I want to taste the coffee.

Q: What is your go-to takeout order?

A: It is pho soup.

Q: What is one important skill that all lab design experts should have?

A: As service providers, we have a lot of exposure and experience with many different solutions. Some clients have only been exposed to one way of doing things. A good lab designer should visit the site, understand the scientific needs, comprehend the working dynamics of the team, and then bring their expertise and experience to the table. Educating the clients and showing them better solutions is one of the most important aspects of successful delivery.

Q: If you won a multi-million-dollar lottery tomorrow, what would you do with your winnings?

A: Start a non-profit company to build Net Zero buildings.

Q: What do you think is crucial for the success of lab design in the future?

A: Understanding operations and science while allowing for flexibility and agility for growth—avoiding both over- and under-designing by grasping the scientific flow and creating space for scientists to be creative and collaborate.

Q: How can labs improve their sustainability?

A: There are various ways to enhance sustainability in construction and design. It all starts with understanding the embodied carbon footprint of a project. Renovating existing facilities instead of constructing new ones can lead to substantial reductions in carbon emissions, as concrete and steel account for the largest share of a building's embodied carbon.

Sustainable design requires considering the entire life cycle of a project rather than focusing solely on asset depreciation. An effective sustainable laboratory should incorporate natural light and smart systems that monitor ventilation, exhaust, and lighting. Additionally, it should utilize sustainable and renewable materials, including compostable options, and comply with well-building standards.

The design should also encourage the use of recyclable materials and implement natural ventilation to improve office utilization. Unfortunately, optimization of systems is often overlooked due to the rigorous performance demands of research and development or manufacturing. Architects and engineers receive performance criteria from end users that are rarely questioned; these criteria may have been established a decade ago and do not account for today’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. As architects, engineers, and responsible citizens, we need to review system optimizations and consider potential improvements.

Q: If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be?

A: I would tell my younger self to trust your instincts and follow your dreams. Don't let the opinions and doubts of others affect how you feel about yourself. Focus on your feelings about things rather than how they appear to others. Don't be too hard on yourself if you fail in a project or disappoint someone. Instead, learn from your mistakes, learn to move on, and keep going. Remember, things are rarely as good or as bad as they seem in the moment.

Always prioritize your physical and mental health above all else.

Q: What kinds of hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?

A: I love traveling with my family. Each year, we select a few countries or cities to visit, combining experiences in nature with urban exploration. We enjoy hiking, attending shows, visiting landmarks, and trying ethnic foods from the regions we explore.

Staying active is important to me; I view working out as my form of meditation. My activities include swimming, powerlifting, paddleboarding, yoga, and tennis. I prioritize movement in my daily life.

Additionally, I have a passion for cooking. I enjoy chopping vegetables, creating sauces, and preparing healthy, satisfying meals for my family and friends. Cooking allows us to enjoy family dinners, and hosting friends creates some of the best memories.

Q: What is the best piece of professional advice you have received?

A: I have always been very focused and possess a strong decision-making process. Once the decision is made, I can quickly plan the execution in my mind and take action for the next phase. I adapt easily to change and can shift my approach while keeping the same end goal in mind. I can tackle any challenge related to projects or strategies, regardless of the obstacles I face along the way.

My former boss, Bassem Melhem, with whom I worked for 14 years, once said, "You move faster than anyone can keep up with." While my ability to execute projects has been a great asset for clients and projects, it sometimes frustrated others. I learned to involve the team in the process, educating them along the way and clarifying the strategy. I used to take great pride in my execution capabilities without considering how it affected those around me. However, I have since learned the importance of pausing to understand and support others on the journey, encouraging input from the team and adapting the strategy when necessary.

Q: What are some of your future career goals?

A: I am always eager to learn and embrace new challenges in my role. I aim to enhance JLL’s services through research, precision, and consistency, all supported by data and analytics, providing a comprehensive solution for our diverse clients.

I strive to create ecosystems for the life sciences sector, continuously improving each project to deliver a better outcome than the last. The industry is complex, and there is often a lack of understanding regarding the specific needs of different locations. Success frequently relies on personal connections and previous collaborations—it's more about trust than simply finding the right partners.

Q: For someone entering this career field, what advice would you give them?

A: My advice to team members entering this field is to seek knowledge and be curious. Get to know the people around you, understand their capabilities and performance, and familiarize yourself with the market and its needs. Be agile and adapt to your clients' requirements. It's important to listen to what clients are saying and read between the lines. Don’t hesitate to admit, "I don’t know, but I will figure it out."

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?

A: The Mediterranean is my favorite place to be. I grew up in the Mediterranean, with crystal blue waters and warm winds. I always seek that feeling when I go on vacations.

Q: If you could teleport to any destination in the world, where would you go?

A: I would teleport myself to a catamaran in the Greek islands.

Q: What is a typical day at work like for you?

A: My day starts with self-care early in the morning, followed by a typical workday. Due to the nature of my job, I can't say that every day is the same or even similar. Sometimes, I tackle the day from the JLL Irvine office, while other times I travel to different offices across the country or up the coast. My days mostly consist of client calls, project meetings, strategy sessions, and numerous follow-up conversations. I also spend time reading about the industry, new drug discoveries, and ecosystem planning.

Q: What’s a common misconception about your job?

A: Many people believe my job is solely focused on design and construction. However, it begins with learning about the science behind the work, getting to know the client, and understanding their needs. This includes grasping their talent strategy, capacity planning, and then strategizing the best delivery methodology for the client’s business. This is a more accurate way to describe what I do every day.

Q: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at work?

A: I was on a construction site as a client, walking through the newly built spaces when I accidentally stepped into freshly poured concrete. There were no cones or signage to warn me. As I sunk into the concrete, the workers had to lift me out by my arms, and they ended up having to buy me a new pair of shoes.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in this new role?

A: I am looking forward to working with the JLL team, where we can assist our clients with a range of services, including financing, space finding, talent acquisition, space analysis, feasibility studies, design and construction, instrumentation, and facility management. Being involved in the entire building cycle and contributing to the creation of successful ecosystems for comprehensive delivery is truly enticing.