___to his research work, the professor cared little about any other things.

选A, devote是一个及物动词，后面一定要跟宾语的，如后面没有宾语，只能用它的系表结构/被动结构be devoted to...,此句中devoted to his research work相当于这样一个原因状语从句：Because he was devoted to his research work,因为它的主语和后面主句主语一致，又是一个被动语态句，所以简化为过去分词短语作状语。

A
devote是一个及物动词，devote oneself to sth,这里用被动，所以省略了oneself
状语
教授献身于他的研究事业，所以对别的事情几乎不关心。

C
devote to sth.
句中以动名词的形式坐伴随状语，又因为这两个动作同时发生，所以不用having devoted

B
是完成时，又是分词作壮语句型，所以是B。