Academic Training
M.D., 2000, University of Calgary, Calgary AB
M.Sc, 2006 (Epidemiology and Biostatistics), 91社区, Montreal QC
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Profile
Professor Richards has trained in genetics, medicine, endocrinology, epidemiology and biostatistics. He currently practices endocrinology and runs a research program at 91社区. 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
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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鈥檚 largest COVID-19 biobank, which contains genetic, proteomic, lifestyle and COVID-19 outcomes on hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients and their controls.
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Recent Honours, Awards and Recognitions
2021 |听Fonds de la Recherche en Sant茅 Quebec. Chercheurs-Boursiers Clinicien, M茅rite.
2020 |听William Dawson Scholar Award Renewal. 91社区. To 鈥溾�ecognize 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.鈥�
2019 |听Best Publication Award. 鈥楢n atlas of genetic influences on osteoporosis in humans and mice鈥�. 91社区, 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 Andr茅-Dupont du Club de Recherches Cliniques du Qu茅bec 鈥� Andr茅-Dupont Young Researcher Award Qu茅bec Clinical Research Society. Given for excellence in research for a young researcher in Qu茅bec.
2016 | Clinical Research Scientist of the Year. Lady Davis Institute. 91社区, 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鈥檚 independent career.
2015 | William Dawson Scholar Award. 91社区. 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 | 91社区 Bravo Award. To 鈥淐elebrate the cream of the researcher crop鈥� at 91社区 for 鈥溾�inners of major provincial, national and international prizes鈥�.
