Paul obtained a PhD in organic/organometallic chemistry and furthered his career with two overseas post-doctoral positions delivering lead compounds for AIDS research and male pattern baldness. In 2001 he took up a position as peptide chemist with Neuren Pharmaceuticals (a “spin out” biotech company from the University of Auckland) and took a lead role in the preparation of synthetic analogue (NNZ-2566, Trofinetide) that is now an FDA-approved drug marketed as Daybue™. Trofinetide was also successful in phase II clinical trials for Fragile X Syndrome. An academic collaboration with Prof Steve Kent, a pioneer of synthetic peptide and protein chemistry, led to training and working in his world leading laboratory on three separate occasions. With these newly acquired skills in peptide and protein synthesis, a peptide research facility embedded within the Maurice Wilkins Centre at the School of Biological Sciences (University of Auckland) was established, of which Paul now leads a separate research group, comprising a mix of postdoctoral research fellows, PhD and BSc(Hons)/MSc students and international visiting interns. He is currently involved in the synthesis, purification, and characterisation of complex biologically-active peptides and proteins by solid and solution phase methodologies.