Distinguished for researches in plant physiology, especially plant respiration in higher plants. This earlier work was concerned with the anaerobic (fermentative) stages in the respiration process and contributed to our knowledge of the Pasteur effect. Later he investigated the aerobic stages of respiration with particular reference to the absorption and utilisation of organic acids. He has also worked on the oxygen effect in photosynthesis. He has also contributed to plant ecology and has been particularly active in the study of grazing in relation to erosion on the Bogong High Plains, Victoria. During the war he was concerned in research on tropic proofing of optical instruments and the production of graticules for optical munitions.