Dr Simon Lewis

Dr Simon Lewis is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry and Forensic Science in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Deakin University and is the Program Director for the Bachelor of Forensic Science degree at Deakin University. He arrived in Australia fresh from completing his PhD in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Plymouth (UK) in 1994. His PhD research concerned applications of chemiluminescence (chemical light) to chemical analysis, and he has continued in this research, with over 30 publications in this area. His research has involved the development of new chemistries and the design and fabrication of novel instrumentation for applications to forensic science, clinical diagnosis, pharmaceutical analysis and the food/beverage industry. Dr Lewis’ research has been recognised nationally by his successful nomination for “Fresh Science 2001”, and by a Young Tall Poppy award, presented in June 2002 on the inaugural Victorian Tall Poppy Day.

Dr Lewis is enthusiastically involved in out-reach programs to high schools, using analytical chemistry and forensic science to encourage students towards science. He was the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Hartung Youth Lecturer for 2002 and he was recently awarded a Deakin University Vice-Chancellors Award for Outstanding Achievement for his outreach activities.

It is while working with school students that Dr Lewis has had some of his more memorable moments. During a forensic workshop he was demonstrating the luminol test for bloodstains when a young country lad pulled out of a plastic bag a shirt soaked in blood with the odd feather adhering to it and proclaimed “I killed a chicken last night – do you reckon we can detect blood on this shirt?”