Professor Richards received his undergraduate degree in biology and behavioral science from Rice University, studied human physiology and biochemistry as a graduate student at Baylor College of Medicine and then the University of Michigan, before receiving his J.D. from the University of Houston and his M.P.H. (Masters of Public Health) from the University of Texas School of Public Health. He has been the Harvey A. Peltier Professor of Law at the Louisiana State University Law Center, and Director of the Program in Law, Science, and Public Health since 2002. Professor Richards has worked in health and public health law for more than 30 years.

Since 2001 he has worked in national security law and disaster response and is on the editorial board of the Journal of National Security Law. He is currently researching the impact of ocean rise and climate change on coastal disaster risks. His publications include 5 books and more than 140 articles. He has worked on projects with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and several state health departments.

Slides and supporting information for this talk is at: http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/cphl/slides/MCIM-2011.htm