His research in mathematical biology focuses on host-pathogen interactions and within-host dynamics, with research projects in influenza virus dynamics, the immune response to influenza, and malaria infection dynamics.
His research in infectious diseases epidemiology and modelling has been fundamental to Australia's planning and response to pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2005 he has worked closely with the Commonwealth government to apply techniques from applied mathematics and data science to the study of infectious diseases. His research has informed development of multiple editions of the Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza. Since early 2020, he has led a team of applied mathematicians, epidemiologists, statisticians and biologists providing model-based and advance-analytics advice to government. He sits on the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee as an invited expert in infectious diseases epidemiology.