Michael Karbowski graduated cum laude with a degree in chemistry. He then earned a master’s degree in pharmacology from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the Medical College of Virginia. He later pursued a medical degree at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, graduating with honors. During that time, his research received first place in Neurosciences from Roche Laboratories in 1977, as well as the Mead Johnson Excellence in Research Award.

He completed a residency in anesthesiology in Seattle at the University of Washington. As a board-certified anesthesiologist, he spent his career at Group Health Hospital (now Kaiser) in Bellevue, Washington. His work was recognized by Seattle Magazine, which named him a top doctor in pediatric anesthesia.

He retired in 2016, just prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and has since given public lectures on COVID-19 and vaccinations, often speaking out against policies such as lockdowns and school closures. He considers it a badge of honor to have received a letter from the Washington State Medical Board warning him about his public positions.

Since then, his focus has shifted to what he describes as climate fallacies promoted by the IPCC, and he supports the benefits of CO₂. He has delivered lectures on the subject and has been interviewed on the podcast Basecamp for Men.