• Carbohydrate chemistry & biochemistry
• Wood materials chemistry & wood science
• Biopolymer and biomaterials science
• Natural products chemistry

• Dobroth, Z.T., Hu, S., Coats*, E.R., McDonald, A.G. (2011) Polyhydroxybutyrate Synthesis on biodiesel production waste stream using Mixed Microbial Consortia. Bioresource Technology, 102:3352–3359.
• Sivasankarapillai, G., McDonald, A.G. (2011) Synthesis and properties of lignin-highly branched poly(ester-amine) polymeric systems, Biomass and Bioenergy, 35:919-931.
• Fabiyi, J.S., McDonald, A.G., (2010) Physical morphology and quantitative characterization of chemical changes of weathered PVC/pine composites. J Polym Environ. 18:57–64.
• Fox, S.C., McDonald, A.G. (2010) Chemical and Thermal Characterizaion of three Industrial Lignins and their Corresponding Lignin Esters. BioResources J. 5(2):990-1009.
• Wood solubilization and depolymerization by supercritical methanol. Part 2: Analysis of methanol soluble compounds. Soria, A.J., McDonald, A.G., He, B.B. (2008). Holzforschung 62: 409–416.

You can view a full list of publications in Armando McDonald's CV.

• Biobased composite materials research which includes fiber modifications and product prototype development.
• Synthesis of lignin based polymers for use as thermoplastics and adhesives.
• Biosynthesis and property evaluation of the bioplastic, polyhydroxyalkanoates. 
• Proteomic studies on wood formation in Douglas-fir.
• Biomass syngas upgrading to biofuels by catalytic conversion. 
• Generation of bio-oils from pyrolysis of biomass.
• Conversion of biomass waste into value added bioproducts. 

• NZ-FRI Achievement in Science Award for Inter-disciplinary Science, April 1997.
• Carter Holt Harvey-New Ventures Ideas to Business Entrepreneur Awards 2001: Business Case, October 2001.