Professor Lewis started working on toxins during his PhD studies at the University of Queensland, where he researched the nature and pharmacology of ciguatoxins responsible for ciguatera fish poisoning. After 10 years with the Queensland Department of Primary Industry following this line of research, he moved back to The University of Queensland to initiate research into the phamacology of conotoxins, small venom peptides produced by carnivorous cone snails. This research led to the isolation and characterisation of several new classes of conotoxins, including two (w-CVID and Xen2174) that were developed clinically. His current research focusses on the discovery, evolution and structure-function of venom peptides, especially those with potential for the treatment of difficult to manage pain.