Rate My Professor Philip Kuchel

Philip Kuchel, Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences, has had a distinguished career spanning over four decades in academic research and teaching. He holds a BMedSc, MB BS from the University of Adelaide, a PhD from the Australian National University where his thesis focused on coupled enzymic reactions involving theory and experimental studies including the development of the first numerical model of the urea cycle, and a DSc from the University of Newcastle. His professional journey began as a Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1971, followed by postdoctoral research in the Biochemistry Department of the University of Oxford Medical School. In 1978, he took up a foundation senior lectureship at the University of Newcastle's Division of Clinical Investigation in the Faculty of Medicine, before being appointed Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Sydney in August 1980, a position he held until becoming Emeritus Professor in 2012.

Kuchel's research expertise lies in physical biochemistry, particularly the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate dynamic molecular processes within intact cells, with a focus on human red blood cells. His work encompasses measuring rates of metabolism, enzyme activities, membrane transport, and diffusional properties, often integrating sophisticated mathematical modeling and computational simulations. Key contributions include pioneering NMR techniques for in situ characterization of cellular phenomena and developing models of metabolic networks such as erythrocyte glycolysis and glutathione synthesis. He has co-authored the widely used textbook "Schaum's Outline of Biochemistry" (multiple editions since 1987). Notable publications include "Human erythrocyte metabolism studies by 1H spin echo NMR" (FEBS Letters, 1977) and "NMR diffusion measurements to characterise membrane transport and solute binding" (Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, 1997). With over 15,940 citations on Google Scholar, his research has profoundly influenced the field. Kuchel has received the Boehringer Mannheim Medal from the Australian Biochemical Society in 1983, election as Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Fellowship of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in 2015, and the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2016 for significant service to science as an academic, author, and researcher in biochemistry.