Abbie Richards

Abbie Richards serves as Professor and Department Head of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Montana State University (MSU). She is affiliated with the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana Engineering Education Research Center, and the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on biofilm dynamics in extreme environments and engineering education equity. Dr. Richards earned her Ph.D. (2007), M.S. (2002), and B.S. (1999) in Chemical Engineering from Washington State University.

Research interests include microbial iron acquisition mechanisms in saline/alkaline environments and undergraduate student persistence in engineering. She teaches courses like Material and Energy Balances and Unit Operations Lab. Notable awards include MSU's Spirit of Discovery Award (2015) and National Outstanding Advisor recognition from Tau Beta Pi (2012).

Service roles include chairing the Tau Beta Pi scholarship committee and reviewing NSF GRFP applications. Her work bridges biofilm science with educational outreach, particularly in underserved rural/reservation communities.