With a Ph.D. in Physics, and a Master's in Library & Information Science, Tod was recently appointed by the Governor to serve as Council Member representing the public on the Nevada State Council on Libraries and Literacy. In his role as head of DeLaMare library at UNR, Tod has been both catalyst and change agent. Under his direction the library has been revitalized as an active hub of innovation and entrepreneurship across disciplinary and organizational boundaries. In 2014, the DeLaMare Library was named one of the "most interesting makerspaces in America", and in 2015 awarded the most innovative space award by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.