Laura L. Richardson, PhD, served as associate professor of biomedical sciences, assistant dean of academic affairs and director of pre-clinical education. She also led the school’s Human Gift Registry.

Dr. Richardson received a B.A. in Biology from Newton College of the Sacred Heart, followed by a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Virginia. She then worked at Georgetown University as a research instructor prior to entering their Ph.D. program and receiving her Ph.D. in Cell Biology. She received postdoctoral training at The Burnham Institute and the University of Tennessee before joining the Department of Anatomy at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

Dr. Richardson was very enthusiastic about teaching both graduate and medical students, educating students in the areas of cell biology and microscopic anatomy. As Director of Pre-Clinical Education, she was instrumental in the education programs for first-year medical students. Dr. Richardson was particularly proud of her leadership in the establishment of the Anatomy Outreach Program that brought Huntington-area high school students to the anatomy labs at Marshall where they learned about career paths by spending time with medical students and faculty.

She was equally proud of her role as the director of the Human Gift Registry, a program that encouraged donations of human bodies for medical student education. Under Dr. Richardson’s leadership, donations more than doubled. To honor donors and their families, she organized an annual memorial service that has become an emotional touchstone for all who are involved.

She conducted research in the area of testicular cancer and received funding from the National Institutes of Health for her work. Throughout her life, Dr. Richardson was a huge music fan. She loved the Beatles and cherished the memory of seeing the Fab Four perform live when she was 13.

Dr. Richardson passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2018. The Class of 2021 has dedicated its class scholarship to her memory.