Melissa A. Richard

Melissa A. Richard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. She is also affiliated with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and engages in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of genetic epidemiology and pediatric medicine.

• PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Human Genetics (University of Texas School of Public Health, 2014)
• MS in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Human Genetics (University of Texas School of Public Health)
• BS in Biology and Psychology (Sam Houston State University)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genetic Epidemiology (University of Texas Institute of Molecular Medicine)

Her research focuses on integrative genetic epidemiology approaches to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric conditions, particularly:

• Genetic and epigenetic risk factors for childhood cancer
• Molecular basis of birth defects
• Developmental gene-environment interactions
• Translational applications in pediatric oncology

Recent publications span:

• 2025 - Vascular toxicity in glioblastoma patients
• 2024 - Sex-based differences in therapy-related myeloid neoplasms
• 2023 - Gene-educational attainment interactions affecting lipid profiles
• 2022 - DNA methylation patterns in congenital heart defects
• 2019 - Genetic variation in DGKK and hypospadias
• 2017 - Epigenetic loci for blood pressure regulation

She is a member of:

• American Society of Human Genetics
• Children's Oncology Group
• American Association for Cancer Research
• Society for Birth Defects Research