Distinguished by fundamental contributions and applications to optical fibre technology. He innovated the weak guidance approximation which is the standard tool for describing light propagation in fibres. His pioneering work on coupled modes explains fibre directional couplers, the critical component of numerous optical devices. He was first to predict the existence of tunnelling leaky modes which explained the origin of previously unknown losses. His designs for special fibres are being considered world wide. In 1983, the Minister for Science and Technology singled out Snyder's work as the impetus for the 5.4 million dollar grant launching Australia's fibre sensor industry.