Although best known for his work on poultry bacteria, Pat has also worked on bacterial respiratory diseases of cattle and pigs, as well as food safety and the survival and impact of zoonotic bacteria in the environment in and around intensive animal production systems. In the poultry field, he has published work on infectious coryza, fowl cholera, bordetellosis, and Campylobacter and Salmonella in poultry. His laboratory continues to function as an international reference centre for the members of the family Pasteurellaceae, offering identification, serotyping and genotyping services. Pat remains a keen taxonomist and has been involved in the formal naming and description of three bacterial species – Avibacterium paragallinarum, Bibersteinia trehalosi and Bordetella hinzii.

By 2012, Pat had published approximately 174 papers in peer-reviewed journals. His contribution to science was recognised by awards from industry, academia and the state, including the Frank Fenner Research Award in 1993 and a Public Service Medal in 2011.