Generations of Chemistry

Watch the Video Feature

-04:55

In the context of the community, I feel obligated to make sure we’re doing science that they comprehend, and, ultimately, if we’re successful, it should be something that can help them.

Steven D. Townsend
Stevenson Chair in chemistry and professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology
Learn more about Steven D. Townsend

Explore More

Meet Steven D. Townsend

Steve Townsend
Stevenson Chair, professor of chemistry and professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology
Steven Townsend is Stevenson Chair and professor of chemistry. He is also professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology. His research focuses on developing new tools to broaden our fundamental understanding of chemistry while addressing problems significant to human health. In particular, his lab focuses on studying and discovering innovative uses for the chemical compounds found within human breast milk.
Learn more about Steven
Dive Deeper

The Townsend Chemistry Lab
Steve Townsend: Professor, Chemist, Mentor
Birth of an Idea: Steven Townsend’s pathbreaking molecular research into human milk
Vanderbilt chemist wins Sloan Research Fellowship
New faculty: Townsend studies the glycobiology of human milk
Townsend’s Research in the News
The Wall Street Journal: The ‘Arms Race’ to Build a Better Baby Formula (October 31, 2019)
Chemical & Engineering News: Podcast: Black chemists discuss strategies for dismantling systemic racism in science (September 23, 2020)
The Scientist: In Search of the Best Milk Recipe for Preemies’ Gut Bacteria (August 22, 2002)
Researcher Spotlight

Sabrina Spicer is a graduate student researcher in the Townsend lab. Her focus is on discovering the antibiofilm properties of sugar compounds within human breast milk.