Todd A. Richmond

Todd A. Richmond is a Professor and Director of the M.Phil. Program and Assessment at the RAND School of Public Policy, RAND Corporation. His work bridges science, technology, and public policy, with a focus on emerging technologies and their societal implications. He has held academic and research positions at USC's Institute for Creative Technologies, USC Marshall School of Business, and USC School of Cinematic Arts, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise.

Richmond holds a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of San Diego and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Caltech, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in protein engineering at U.C. San Francisco. His educational background laid the foundation for his transition into technology policy and innovation.

His research interests include science and technology policy, emerging and immersive technologies, communication systems, education reform, and new media arts. He is particularly known for his 'applications and implications' approach, emphasizing the broader societal impacts of technological advancements. His work often explores unintended consequences, such as those seen in pharmaceutical availability during global health crises.

The two most recent articles reflect a strong trend in public health policy, particularly around infectious diseases and the global pharmaceutical supply chain. Both publications focus on the indirect effects of medical interventions, such as drug shortages and counterfeit markets, highlighting his focus on systemic risk and policy foresight.

• Scientific awards: No specific awards mentioned in the text.

Richmond has advised and led research initiatives at major institutions, including directing programs at RAND and leading the Advanced Prototypes group and Mixed Reality Lab at USC. While formal student advising is not detailed, his leadership roles suggest significant mentorship and grant-funded research activities, particularly in technology and policy domains.

He has been associated with the Mixed Reality Lab and Advanced Prototypes group at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, where he explored immersive technologies, visualization, and future collaboration environments. These labs represent interdisciplinary teams combining computer science, cinematic arts, and behavioral science to develop next-generation training and communication systems.