He is currently a research leader in Energy and Advanced Manufacturing, leading a group in the development and translation of materials research into commercial product. After completing his PhD at the Australian National University in 2006, he worked in the private R&D industry on new digital printing technology. Since 2010, he has been based at the University of South Australia. During this time he has published numerous scientific papers, and commercialized technology with industry, such as the world's first plastic automotive mirror. Drew currently sits on the South Australian Science Council, and the EMCR Forum Executive under the Australian Academy of Science. In 2013 he was named the South Australian Tall Poppy of the Year.