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Program in
Communication of Science and Technology

Sabrina Spicer

Research Assistant Professor of Communication of Science and Technology

Sabrina Spicer is a Research Assistant Professor in Vanderbilt University’s Communication of Science & Technology program, where she combines her expertise in chemical biology with her dedication to advancing scientific communication. Sabrina received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University where she studied the bioactive properties of human breast milk and their potential therapeutic applications. Here, she received numerous awards for her interdisciplinary work highlighting her commitment to impactful and cross-disciplinary scholarship. Dr. Spicer’s current research interests focus on evaluating and enhancing the ways graduate-level scientists are trained to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences. Her current work seeks to explore innovative methods for embedding science communication within STEM Ph.D. curricula, with the goal of fostering public trust in science and improving early-career outcomes for scientists. Sabrina is passionate about equipping future scientists with the skills needed to communicate effectively with both technical and public audiences. Her efforts to address the communication gap in scientific training are grounded in a belief that effective science communication can strengthen public trust, foster informed decision-making, and ultimately, enhance societal understanding of scientific research.

Specializations

Dr. Sabrina Spicer is dedicated to advancing scientific communication, specializing in training graduate-level scientists in effective scientific communication techniques, both oral and written. With a strong foundation in chemical microbiology and extensive experience in investigating bioactive compounds and antimicrobial resistance, her interdisciplinary research background enriches her approach to science communication, bridging technical expertise with accessible and impactful messaging. Her work equips emerging researchers with the skills needed to clearly convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.


Representative Publications

Adams CE, Spicer SK, Gaddy JA, Townsend SD: Synthesis of a Phosphoethanolamine Cellulose Mimetic and Evaluation of Its Unanticipated Biofilm Modulating Properties. ACS Infectious Diseases 2024.

Stephens VR, Moore RE, Spicer SK, Talbert JA, Lu J, Chinni R, Chambers SA, Townsend SD, Manning SD, Rogers LM et al: Environmental Toxicant Exposure Paralyzes Human Placental Macrophage Responses to Microbial Threat. ACS Infectious Diseases 2023, 9(12):2401-2408.

Moore RE, Spicer SK, Talbert JA, Manning SD, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA: Anti-biofilm Activity of Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Clinical Strains of Streptococcus agalactiae with Diverse Capsular and Sequence Types. ChemBioChem 2023, 24(6):e202200643.

Moore RE, Spicer SK, Lu J, Chambers SA, Noble KN, Lochner J, Christofferson RC, Vasco KA, Manning SD, Townsend SD et al: The Utility of Human Milk Oligosaccharides against Group B Streptococcus Infections of Reproductive Tissues and Cognate Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. ACS Central Science 2023, 9(9):1737-1749.

Korir ML, Doster RS, Lu J, Guevara MA, Spicer SK, Moore RE, Francis JD, Rogers LM, Haley KP, Blackman A et al: Streptococcus agalactiae cadD alleviates metal stress and promotes intracellular survival in macrophages and ascending infection during pregnancy. Nature Communications 2022, 13(1):5392.

Lu J, Moore Rebecca E, Spicer Sabrina K, Doster Ryan S, Guevara Miriam A, Francis Jamisha D, Noble Kristen N, Rogers Lisa M, Talbert Julie A, Korir Michelle L et al: Streptococcus agalactiae npx Is Required for Survival in Human Placental Macrophages and Full Virulence in a Model of Ascending Vaginal Infection during Pregnancy. mBio 2022, 13(6):e02870-02822.

Spicer SK, Gaddy JA, Townsend SD: Recent advances on human milk oligosaccharide antimicrobial activity. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 2022, 71:102202.

Talbert JA, Lu J, Spicer SK, Moore RE, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA: Ameliorating adverse perinatal outcomes with Lactoferrin: An intriguing chemotherapeutic intervention. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 2022, 74:117037.

Spicer SK, Moore RE, Lu J, Guevara MA, Marshall DR, Manning SD, Damo SM, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA: Antibiofilm Activity of Human Milk Oligosaccharides against Multidrug Resistant and Susceptible Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii. ACS Infectious Diseases 2021, 7(12):3254-3263.

Nguyen JM, Moore RE, Spicer SK, Gaddy JA, Townsend SD: Synthetic Phosphoethanolamine Cellobiose Promotes Escherichia coli Biofilm Formation and Congo Red Binding. ChemBioChem 2021, 22(15):2540-2545.

Noble K, Lu J, Guevara MA, Doster RS, Chambers SA, Rogers LM, Moore RE, Spicer SK, Eastman AJ, Francis JD et al: Group B Streptococcus cpsE Is Required for Serotype V Capsule Production and Aids in Biofilm Formation and Ascending Infection of the Reproductive Tract during Pregnancy. ACS Infectious Diseases 2021, 7(9):2686-2696.

Lu J, Guevara MA, Francis JD, Spicer SK, Moore RE, Chambers SA, Craft KM, Manning SD, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA: Analysis of Susceptibility to the Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Human Milk Lactoferrin in Clinical Strains of Streptococcus agalactiae With Diverse Capsular and Sequence Types. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 2021, 11.

Avery TM, Boone RL, Lu J, Spicer SK, Guevara MA, Moore RE, Chambers SA, Manning SD, Dent L, Marshall D et al: Analysis of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Human Milk Lactoferrin Compared to Bovine Lactoferrin against Multidrug Resistant and Susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates. ACS Infectious Diseases 2021, 7(8):2116-2126.

Spicer SK, Subramani A, Aguila AL, Green RM, McClelland EE, Bicker KL: Toward a clinical antifungal peptoid: Investigations into the therapeutic potential of AEC5. Biopolymers 2019, 110(6):e23276.