Paul Engel is an Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at University College Dublin. He lectured at Sheffield for many years before taking up the Chair of Biochemistry at University College Dublin in 1994, where his research career focussed on enzymology, kinetics, and protein engineering. Paul Engel has taken an active interest in the public awareness of science and started a programme at UCD for training Ph. D. students in presenting science to the public. Elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2001, he has also chaired its Life Sciences Committee. In 2010 he was awarded the Biochemical Irish Area Section's Medal for outstanding research carried out in Ireland.