Dr. James Richards is the distinguished president of CAD University. Before assuming this position, Dr. Richards spent much of his career as an innovation leader in the biotechnology industry.
His passion for discovery prompted Dr. Richards’ journey from technology to science. He moved into academia when he earned a doctorate in Biological Sciences. His graduate work on the ecological effects of species reintroduction has been highly cited. Dr. Richards is most famous within the scientific community for pioneering developments in conservation biology. He constructed a new framework to evaluate the success of re-introduced populations, which has become a standard tool in the profession. One of his important scientific contributions is research into the role of phosphorylcholine in bacterial pathogenesis and immune response. His work gave great insights into how bacterial structures could influence the effectiveness of immune defenses, hence impacting treatment strategies against infections. Furthermore, Dr. Richards co-authored a comprehensive review on biodiversity hotspots, remarking on the critical areas for conservation efforts and securing funds for a number of preservation projects.
Apart from research, Dr. Richards has contributed much to academia through his teaching and mentorship. Early in his career, before working in the private sector and returning to academia when he joined CAD University, he taught high school science in public K-12 education, where he was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award for his contributions.
As president of CAD University, Dr. Richards has overseen the growth of its research and outreach programs, the establishment of a Center of Ethical Science dedicated to finding moral implications that could come from scientific discoveries, and procured funding for interdisciplinary research channeled between departments to lend more credibility to the institution within academic and public discourse. Under his tenure, CAD University has grown as a powerhouse of academic excellence