Daniel is currently Co-Director of SoilsWest where he conducts research and student supervision that addresses issues relating to the development of sustainable management practices for agriculture and mine-sites under rehabilitation. The biology and biochemistry of soil is a major focus of this research where staff and students employ a range of molecular, isotopic, biochemical and enzymatic tools to study microbial ecology and nutrient cycling and issues relating to microbial function and diversity. Research is primarily funded through the Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Australian Research Council, and industry partners.