The underlying theme of Dr Jenkins research career has been plant carbon assimilation, metabolism and utilisation, at molecular, biochemical, physiological and field growth level. This has included contributions to the areas: C₄ photosynthesis, including gas exchange, enzymology, modelling, regulation, energetics, and the effects of exogenous chemicals; carbon partitioning and growth, including partitioning of so-called water-soluble carbohydrates to stems and their subsequent mobilisation to developing grain, at the molecular biochemical and field level; and responses of plants to abiotic stress, particularly drought, More recent research areas include plant carbohydrates, and ongoing studies associated with plant oxidative stress.