Todd likes “exposing students to as many ways to explore as they can,” with texts, current research articles, labs and fieldwork. “I want to show students that researchers are use an array of techniques in their cutting-edge research.” In addition to encouraging understanding of the social relevance of chemistry and biochemistry, Todd helps his students see the relevance of sharing findings: “Exciting results are only useful if you can share them with other people. Being able to effectively communicate what you’ve found is integral to doing science.” Todd enjoys students who are excited by the idea of a self-designed study involving lab work or field work, eager to work in an interdisciplinary fashion and willing to keep an open mind about where their studies may take them.

As a doctoral student at the University of Rhode Island, Todd studied heat-shock proteins, which provide cells temporary protection from environmental shocks. Todd’s current research focuses on anti-freeze proteins in fish, and how fish control the timing and production of those proteins. Todd has been an ad hoc reviewer for the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. In 2009, Todd taught a week-long biochemistry workshop at Hue University, Vietnam, regarding applications of biochemistry to organic pollutants in wastewater. He also participated in a Hill Center for World Studies “Empires & Science” workshop at the Watson Institute, Brown University, in 2008.

Publications

“RNA-DNA ratio in scales from juvenile cod (Gadus morhau) provides a non-lethal measure of feeding condition,” (with L. Buckley). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 132 (2003):9-17.