Zechel’s research focuses on the study of unusual enzymes that catalyze key organic transformations, such as C-H bond activation, glycosylation, fluorination, and C-P bond cleavage, in major natural product classes, including organophosphonates, nucleosides, and peptides. More recently his research has expanded to discovering plastic degrading enzymes, where he is co-lead of the Genome Canada funded Open Plastic research consortium. His lab has made significant contributions to the study enzymes that enable bacteria to degrade organophosphonates, including glyphosate (RoundUp). His international profile is reflected by numerous invited reviews in the top venues for enzyme catalysis, including Chemical Reviews, Methods in Enzymology and Biochemical Society Transactions.