Professor Todd Reynolds – Biology at University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Professional Summary

Todd Reynolds is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a focus on microbial physiology and regulation. He earned his PhD from Vanderbilt University, his bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Whitehead Institute. Reynolds joined the University of Tennessee in 2003, advancing to full professor while mentoring twelve PhD students, one postdoctoral researcher, a master's student, and numerous undergraduates. He founded the Community of Scholars for Biomembranes and serves as principal investigator for the NIH T32 training grant on integrated membrane proteins. Recently named interim program director for the Genome Science and Technology PhD program at the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's Bredesen Center, he also acts as Director of Graduate Studies for Genome Science and Technology and PEER Faculty Contact.

Reynolds' research investigates phospholipid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, fungal pathogenesis, biofilm formation, cell wall composition such as β(1,3)-glucan masking and chitin levels in Candida albicans, lipid transport, and enzymatic depolymerization of poly-L-lactic acid. His laboratory has contributed to innovations including a startup, Circular Biosciences, derived from student PhD research on plastic biodegradation enzymes. Key publications include "The small molecule CBR-5884 inhibits the Candida albicans phosphatidylserine synthase" (2024), "Probing Glycerolipid Metabolism using a Caged Clickable Glycerol-3-Phosphate Probe" (2024), "Disruption to de novo uridine biosynthesis alters β-1,3-glucan masking in Candida albicans" (2024), "Loss of Fgr41 in Candida albicans attenuates virulence and increases proinflammatory immune responses" (2026 preprint), and "Caspofungin-induced β(1,3)-glucan exposure in Candida albicans is driven by increased chitin levels" (2023). With over 3,000 citations on Google Scholar, his work impacts antifungal development and microbial metabolism studies. Honors include the Department of Microbiology Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Award and seed funding leading to a $2.5 million NIH award, as well as the Chancellor's Innovation Fund.