Fred is a Professor and geochronologist / geochemist at the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Curtin University. He is the director of the Western Australian Argon Isotope Facility dedicated to dating rocks.

His research focuses understanding the role of volcanism on past climate changes and the evolution of the volcanism and impact process on Earth and throughout the solar system.

He is the unit coordinator of Dynamic Earth where he teaches Geology to large cohorts of first year students. He is passionate about teaching and uses an engaging approach to learning where he applies flip and micro-flip hands-on pedagogy techniques. He is committed to actively transmit his passion for science to the public through school visits, radio interviews, news articles and social media presence as well as leading the Geo outreach group at Curtin University.