Academic Training
M.D., 2000, University of Calgary, Calgary AB
M.Sc, 2006 (Epidemiology and Biostatistics), 鶹AV, Montreal QC
Profile
Professor Richards has trained in genetics, medicine, endocrinology, epidemiology and biostatistics. He currently practices endocrinology and runs a research program at 鶹AV. His research program is focused on the identification of the genetic determinants of common diseases and the translation of these findings to improved clinical care. Professor Richards was a CIHR Clinical Investigator and currently is an FRSQ Clinician Scientist Merite. He has had the opportunity to participate in, and sometimes lead, large-scale human genetic studies published in Nature, JAMA Nature Genetics and The Lancet. His work has been recognized through election as a Member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Foundation Grant.
Major Research
Our vision is to use human genetics to improve clinical care. We do so by first undertaking genetic association studies. Then we use this information for three purposes:
- To identify and validate drug targets with our industrial partners.
- To identify individuals at risk of disease using polygenic risk scores, developed from machine-learning methods.
- To test the causal role of risk factors in disease through Mendelian randomization.
Recently we have helped to build Canada’s largest COVID-19 biobank, which contains genetic, proteomic, lifestyle and COVID-19 outcomes on hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients and their controls.
Recent Honours, Awards and Recognitions
2021 |Fonds de la Recherche en Santé Quebec. Chercheurs-Boursiers Clinicien, Mérite.
2020 |William Dawson Scholar Award Renewal. 鶹AV. To “…recognize a scholar developing into an outstanding and original researcher of world-class caliber who is poised to become a leader in his or her field, similar to that of a CRC Tier 2.”
2019 |Best Publication Award. ‘An atlas of genetic influences on osteoporosis in humans and mice’. 鶹AV, Human Genetics Department.
2017 | Elected Member of The American Society of Clinical Investigation. The ASCI is an honor society of physician-scientists, those who translate findings in the laboratory to the advancement of clinical practice.
2016 | Elected Member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Given to recognize emerging Canadian intellectual leaders who have demonstrated a high level of achievement.
2016 | Prix du Jeune Chercheur André-Dupont du Club de Recherches Cliniques du Québec – André-Dupont Young Researcher Award Québec Clinical Research Society. Given for excellence in research for a young researcher in Québec.
2016 | Clinical Research Scientist of the Year. Lady Davis Institute. 鶹AV, Faculty of Medicine. To honour a researcher who has made outstanding contributions to their field of study.
2015 | Canadian Society of Clinical Investigation (CSCI) 2015 Joe Doupe Young Investigator Award. To recognize outstanding research accomplishments in the first eight years of an investigator’s independent career.
2015 | William Dawson Scholar Award. 鶹AV. To ..."recognize a scholar developing into an outstanding and original researcher of world-class caliber who is poised to become a leader in his or her field, similar to that of a CRC Tier 2."
2015 | 鶹AV Bravo Award. To “Celebrate the cream of the researcher crop” at 鶹AV for “…winners of major provincial, national and international prizes”.