Richard’s research focuses on the identification of human disease genes, for which he has used established and emerging technologies. His interests have spanned a range of rare medical conditions, including pulmonary arterial hypertension to more common disorders including the skin inflammatory disorder, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and acne.

More recently, he co-founded the East London Genes and Health project. This programme is one of the world’s largest community-based genetics studies, funded by the Wellcome Trust, aiming to improve health among people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage in East London.

A geneticist, Richard trained in Medicine at Guy’s Hospital Medical School. Following postgraduate training at the Institute of Child Health, he moved to the University of Leicester in 1992 where he was later appointed to the Foundation Chair of Medical Genetics. He moved to King’s as Professor of Medical Genetics in 2005 and was Head of Division of Genetics & Molecular Medicine between 2008-11. During this time he was appointed founding Director of the KCL/GSTT NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre.

Richard has substantial academic leadership experience. He served as Senior Vice President (SVP) for Life Sciences & Health and held the position of Executive Director of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre, drawing together the university with major acute and mental health NHS Trusts to accelerate innovation for health benefit.

Prior to this role, Richard was Senior Vice President & Provost (Health) and Executive Director of King’s Health Partners, having joined King’s as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine in September 2015.

Directly prior to joining King’s, Richard was Vice-Principal for Health at Queen Mary University London and Executive Dean of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Richard is Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and King’s College London.