Pauric James Donnelly is interested in the application of the tools of molecular biology to improving the sustainability of industrial systems. Through his education he has followed a passion and curiosity for revealing the basis of life and evolution, and now is interested in how this knowledge can be applied in biotechnology. He has a strong background in molecular biological research and bioinformatics, and broad experience from research positions in evolutionary genetics, paleogenomics, neurogenetics, and now synthetic and systems biology. His current PhD project is investigating the feasibility of improving methionine production in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using genetic engineering, laboratory evolution, and bioprocess engineering.