Following an Applied Physics based student apprenticeship within the aircraft industry, by means of a series of short-term contracts Richard set about gaining experience within the disciplines of Physiology (Hughes et al 1969), Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering. It was therefore somewhat pre-ordained that in 1972 he should take up employment within a major pharmaceutical company, staying there until retirement in 2004. The first half of this major period of employment was spent managing an in- house laboratory instrumentation support group and, in addition to managing the group, also doubling up as one of its’ practitioners. Publications such as Maconochie et al (1988) describe projects typical of those undertaken and how, over time, their nature evolved from being primarily reactive to significantly more proactive.
.By the time of his retirement Richard had progressed to the position of International Director of a now considerably enlarged support group. This expansion at least in part as a result of having introduced new areas of expertise within portfolio of services provided – most notably via the so-called Dream Team, responsible for advising upon the possible impact of “on the horizon” instrumentation sciences and technology. In particular, the then relatively new nano technologies. Also, the use of Discrete Event Simulation as a means of ensuring the effective use of automation within a research environment.
And now, during what he considers to be that well-earned retirement, Richards’ interests lie within the science and technologies associated with the detection of gravitational waves.
Reference
Hughes, de Weevers & Hartley: “Stimulation and Recording from Single Cells in Whole Animal Preparations of Aplysia”. Experiential 25, 1275 (1969)
Maconochie, Hartley & Michael: “Initial Studies with a Digitally Integrating Tremor Meter”. Pharmaceut. Med (1988), 2, 321 – 331