Malcolm Peaker pursues research interests in the physiology of secretion, in particular, of milk. Malcolm has conducted notable investigations on the interaction between mother and offspring — primarily in relation to lactation — in dairy animals, birds and humans. His findings have significantly advanced our understanding of milk secretion over the decades, and he is considered a leader in the field.

Amongst his other discoveries, Malcolm isolated a group of proteins in milk that exert inhibitory control on milk secretion — a result that explains how milking intervals help to regulate milk yield. He also made a number of important observations about the relationship between the mammary gland development and reproduction.

Malcolm has been an invited speaker at a number of worldwide lectures as well as a member of many government committees related to the life sciences, including biotechnology, veterinary science and food. He is also an elected Fellow of a number of prestigious scientific societies.