Paul Elliott trained in mathematics and medical sciences at Cambridge University, and clinical medicine at University College Hospital Medical School, London. He worked as a medical epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine for 13 years and was Head of the Environmental Epidemiology Unit, 1990 to 1995. He became Director of the UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) in 1991. He is currently Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London and continues as Director of SAHSU. He was a member of the Health Advisory Group on Chemical Contamination Incidents (Dept Health, 1990-2001), and is a member of the UK Medical Research Council Advisory Board (1997- ). He was a member of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes Post-Market Monitoring Sub-Group (MAFF, 1998-2000) and a member of the review team on zinc cadmium sulphide trials (Academy of Medical Sciences/MoD, 1999-2000). He was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2000. He was appointed as specialist advisor to the House of Lords Science and Technology Sub-Committee on Human Genetic Databases, which reported in March 2001.