Paul is a professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine as well as in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.  He is also a principal investigator at the Christopher S. Bond Life Science Center.

Paul holds degrees from Rice University (B.A., Mathematics and Political Science), Stanford (M.A., Religious Studies), and Cornell (Ph.D., Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cell Biology), and completed postdoctoral training at MIT and the University of Washington.

He has broad experience and training in molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, and biochemistry, with specific expertise in host-pathogen interactions and biotechnology development. He has co-founded several biotechnology companies, including HelioWave Technologies, LLC, and authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. His research has been supported by awards from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH, NSF, USDA, DTRA, and DARPA, as well as several other private foundations.