She has been praised for her innovative research on enzymes and cofactors, which can make chemical synthesis more selective and greener. According to KNCV Gold Medal winner Caroline Paul, biocatalysis offers many opportunities, but it is not by default more sustainable than chemical synthesis. ‘You do have to look at the numbers and make a fair comparison.’

Caroline Paul knew she had been nominated for the KNCV Gold Medal, but when an unknown number appeared on her phone in early October, she had long since forgotten about it. ‘In April, a colleague had asked for my resume, but I didn’t hear anything after that. I assumed I wasn’t selected. And you know: there are so many colleagues who also deserve the award. So when KNCV President Yvonne van der Meer called, it was a very nice surprise.’

The KNCV Gold Medal jury praised Caroline Paul’s original biocatalysis research, which provides both fundamental insights and new industrial applications. She has made a name for herself in recent years especially with innovative studies on cofactors: molecules that enzymes require to do their catalytic work. But developing new synthetic strategies for existing industrial processes is also an important line of research.