Professor Noller is an environmental scientist who studies the pathways and processes of metals and metalloids in the environment. He applies environmental chemistry and toxicology with risk assessment tools to identify issues of human health and environmental effects in biota. Using trace element signatures, isotope techniques and Synchrotron X-ray techniques at the molecular level, bioaccessibility and bioavailability tests it is possible to make more accurate risk assessment of exposure by human and biota in ecosystems to metals and metalloids.

Barry is currently involved with a study of mercury dispersion in the Burdekin River catchment, Queensland, following extensive historical gold mining and a large area of floodplain sugar cane cultivation downstream to the estuary. The study uses DGTs for collection of labile Hg in water and limited Hg accumulation in sediment, with other trace element and isotopic fingerprints.