Paul Long is a microbiologist by training and his research uses a combination of bioinformatics, laboratory and field studies to discover new medicines from nature, particularly from the marine environment. Current projects are in the areas of dermatology (sunscreens & antioxidants), infection (paediatrics & reproductive health), oncology (haematopoietic and lymphoid malignancies) and CNS (analgesia & addiction management). As well as working in academia both in the UK, Europe, Latin America and USA, Prof. Long has worked for the NHS, in global pharma and start-up biotechnology industries. Professor Long has been a Vising Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and is currently an International Visiting Research Professor at the University of São Paulo Brazil.

Professor Long has successfully commercialised natural sunscreen products and is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of a biotech spin-out commercialising patented technology. Current applications for improving women's health are in phase I/IIa clinical trials.