Paul H. Neill, PhD, a former chemist for Helene Curtis, passed away on April 13, 2008 of cancer at 52. Neill was one of the lead scientists who developed heat active conditions, according to his colleagues.
According to those he knew, Neill was all about creativity and innovation. His career began at Argonne in Lemont, Ill., USA, where he worked in coal chemistry and alternative fuel science. Neill then departed into personal care when he joined Helene Curtis, which was later bought by Unilever. At Helene Curtis he concentrated on new product development for hair care, specifically perms and colors. He also led the development of heat-activated conditioners.
Collegues in the lab found Neill to always be at ease in a laboratory and very quick to turn ideas into intellectual property. Neill has both a daughter and a son.
