Profile: Dr. Steven Townsend

It is nearly impossible to talk with Dr. Steven Townsend without getting excited about chemistry.

Dr. Townsend’s lab “cares about why people get sick” and applies organic chemistry to help people everywhere get and stay healthy. He is pioneering research into the chemical make-up of human breast milk; he discovered a new class of sugars in human milk that prevent babies from getting viral and bacterial infections, The wide-reaching applications for his lab’s work span from new medicines to industrial paint. 

Today, we’re talking with Dr. Townsend about his work, how he became a chemist,  and why he especially loves helping others find their success in what many consider one the most difficult fields of scientific study.

Today’s Guest:

• Dr. Steven Townsend, Stevenson Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University

Further Reading and Listening:

• Vanderbilt’s Quantum Potential series featured Dr. Townsend. You can watch the video here.
• Check out our episode, Exploring Vanderbilt’s new Quantum Potential series