Dr. Knowlton has worked as a biomedical statistician and amateur biologist for 16+ years, primarily focused on machine learning approaches as applied to translational diagnostics. His work focuses on practical solutions that can be robustly estimated in the clinic.

Currently, he leads a digital embryology group that is using hybrid AI techniques to improve the success rate of IVF in humans and cattle. He is co-lead of the digital cancer group with Dr. Annette Lasham, where they are working with the country's leading clinicians, NGOs, and patient groups to improve the quality and equity of Breast Cancer treatment in Aotearoa.