Dr. Hochachka was recognised for his work in adaptational phisiology (how living organisms adapt their life styles to the environment), for which he was also awarded the 1995 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.
Not content with restricting himself to the laboratory, Dr. Hochachka also maintains teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As well, he gives the benefit of his knowledge and experience to society directly. He has served on the board of directors of Science World, and, through the Scientists in Schools Program, he gives talks to high school students, their teachers and parents about issues in science. He also makes particular efforts to lecture in and promote research in developing countries.
Much of Dr. Hochachka’s work revolves around how humans adapt to low oxygen environments. His work has attracted interest in the medical community with respect to diseases caused by, or complicated by lack of oxygen. He is currently studying the physiological adaptations of native peoples, such as the Sherpas of the Himalayas, to high altitude living.
