His research focused on the induction of chirality into mesophases, aspects of steric hindrance and the mechanochemistry of organic compounds.
Having survived the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, he emigrated to Australia with his parents to join members of the Sternhell family who had left Europe prior to World War II.
[2] Having had no formal education since primary school, and only learnt English recently in Palestine, he spent the next nine months studying for the Leaving Certificate.
In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal for his service to Australian society and science in organic chemistry and molecular engineering.
[5] In June 2018, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia "for distinguished service to education in the field of organic chemistry, specifically to nuclear magnetic resonance, as an academic and researcher, and to scientific institutions.