His area of work in plant molecular biology, genomics and plant breeding with a particular focus on dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) improvment. He has held various leadership roles in the university and scientific societies, including: Acting Associate Dean Academic (2006 -2009), Chair of the Department of Plant Agriculture (2010-2015) and President of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists (2007-2009). He has published over 150 peer-reviewed  articles on on cellular and molecular studies of plant embryogenesis, pathogen-induced stress, agronomic trait expression in field crop plants, bean breeding, genomics and bioproducts.