His research interests are control of gene expression and extrachromosomal genes.
Current research is on genes involved in production of eleostearic acid in tung nuts.
Shepherd, H.S. Viruslike particles in tentoxin-producing strains of Alternaria alternata . Shepherd, H.S. Linear, non-mitochondrial plasmids of Alternaria alternata. Lax, A., Bland, J., and Shepherd, H. Biorational control of weeds and fungi with peptides. P. Hedin, J. Menn, and R. Hollingsworth, eds. Bolen, P.L., Hayman, G.T., and Shepherd, H.S. Sequence and analysis of an aldose reductase gene from the xylose-fermenting yeast Pachysolen tannophilus .