His research areas include the applications of hybrid imaging technology in oncology, particularly low radiation dose imaging. He has co-authored over 170 peer-reviewed papers on nuclear physics and medical imaging technology, and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. In 2015, Dr Townsend received the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award from the International Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in the US for 3D PET and PET/CT development.