Dr. Bronwyn Kivell received a $13,725 Research For Life Grant to undertake research into developing a new class of drug to treat neuropathic pain. It is estimated that around 4% of the population suffers from neuropathic pain, a chronic pain condition that can result from physical trauma or diseases such as diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, shingles and stroke. Current pain medications are ineffective when administered long-term and can have serious side-effects including itch, constipation, decreased respiration and addiction. The goal of this project is to develop effective medications to treat chronic pain with fewer side-effects. Dr. Kivell is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences and Centre for Biodiscovery at Victoria University of Wellington.