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Overview
Affiliations
AffiliationTelephone
Professor in the Department of Biosciences+44 (0) 191 33 43983
Professor in the Department of Chemistry+44 (0) 191 33 43983
Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing+44 (0) 191 33 43983

Biography

Protozoan parasites are the causative agents of a wide range of important human and animal diseases, including malaria. Current work in Paul's laboratory is focused on furthering the understanding of the role of lipid biosynthesis and membrane trafficking in host-pathogen interactions, with a view to elucidating protozoan specific activities amenable to therapeutic intervention. Previous to his appointment in 2004 Paul worked in research posts at Imperial College London and at the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research.

1. Protozoan sphingolipid biosynthesis (with Prof Ehmke Pohl and others)

2. Antileishmanial discovery (with Prof Patrick Steel and others)

3. Antileishmanial mode of action deconvolution (with GSK and others)

 

Research interests

  • Cell Biology
  • Lipid Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology

Esteem Indicators

  • 2025: Honorary Professorship University of Lahore:
  • 2025: Transforming Global Health: Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): Co-organiser of COMSTECH workshop, Rabat, Morocco
  • 2025: Anti-Protozoal Drug Discovery: Perils and Pitfalls : Invited presentation at the Government College University, Faisalabad
  • 2025: Anti-Protozoal Drug Discovery: Perils and Pitfalls : Invited presentation at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH). Islamabad. Part of the Workshop on Drug Discovery and Development in the Modern Era.
  • 2025: Anti-Protozoal Drug Discovery: Perils and Pitfalls : Invited presentation at the University of Lahore
  • 2025: Yes or no? Sphingolipid biosynthesis is an antileishmanial target: Keynote tak at 4th International Caparica Conference on Leishmaniasis 2025, Lisbon, Portugal
  • 2025: Infection to Innovation: Science to the Rescue: Pint of Science: Flesh-eating parasites and how to avoid losing your face! Public understanding
  • 2025: COMSTECH Distinguished Scholar: Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) is one of four standing committees of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) dedicated to the promotion and cooperation of science and technology activities among the OIC member states.
  • 2024: Training Workshop on Leishmaniasis: Co-organiser with COMSTECH, NTD and CDT Africa and AAU of workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • 2024: MRC Outstanding Team Impact Prize Winner - Lead: Global Network for NTDs The MRC Global Challenges Research Fund-funded Global Network for NTDs brought together over 500 researchers from 13 institutes around the world, via new collaborative research teams focused on Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. The network sought to democratise and decolonise the field, through growing laboratory research capacity and expertise in endemic countries across Asia and South America. It has made significant scientific advances. Its cross-disciplinary partnerships with endemic country scientists have demonstrated globally equitable working practices. This exemplar brought in and influenced private sector collaborators, revealing the network’s most tangible legacy and impact.
  • 2023: Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology: Elected January 2023
  • 2023: Identification of New Lead Compounds and Diagnostic Tools for Leishmaniasis: Concepts, Approaches, and Capacity Building: Co-organisation with COMSTECH of a workshop in Nairobi, Kenya
  • 2023: Leishmaniasis: drugs and diagnostics for diseases of neglect: Plenary presentation at the 8" International Symposium-cum-Training Course on Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (MMDR-8). ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan
  • 2022: Topic Editor: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, section Parasite and Host

     Leishmania Genome Variability: Impacts on Parasite Evolution, Parasitism and Leishmaniases Control

  • 2022: Short Course on: Development of platforms to study transmembrane proteins – towards medical, agricultural and biotechnological benefits: Co-organised workshop with FAPESP, hosted by USP at IFSC-USP, Brazil
  • 2022: Trans-membrane Proteins as Drug Targets: the Challenges and Opportunities: Invited talk at IPM, Uruguay
  • 2022: Antiprotozoal Drug Discovery: Perils and Pitfalls : Invited talk at USP-SP, Brazil
  • 2022: Antiprotozoal Drug Discovery: Perils and Pitfalls : Invited talks at USP-RP, Brazil
  • 2022: Natural Product Antileishmanials: Pleasures and Pitfalls : Plenary talk at 15th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry (ISNPC-15) , ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan
  • 2021: The Kinetoplastid Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase: GSK TCOLF 10th Anniversary Conference
  • 2020: Protozoan ‘drug’ discovery: old drugs, new targets and mining for novelty: Invited talk at USP-SP, Brazil
  • 2018: Editorial Board Member, Parasitology (CUP):
  • 2016: Honorary Treasurer of Council of British Society for Parasitology: Honorary Treasurer of Council of British Society for Parasitology (2016-19)
  • 2012: Guest Editor: Special edition of Biochemistry Research International: Lipid Metabolism as a Therapeutic Target

Publications

Journal Article

Newspaper/Magazine Article

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

Other (Print)

Patent

Supervision students