Tom Richard

Tom L. Richard is professor emeritus of agricultural and biological engineering at Penn State University. For over four decades he has applied fundamental engineering science to microbial and agricultural systems, with applications including soil carbon storage, composting, anaerobic digestion, synthetic biology, and bioprospecting for new industrial microorganisms. His efforts have contributed to a range of market-based strategies to develop a bio-based economy that sustains rural communities, enhances soil and water quality, and creates durable climate solutions. At Penn State he directed the Institute for Energy and the Environment, supporting over 500 faculty to advance interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, and also directed the Northeast Sun Grant Center of Excellence. In addition to private consulting, Dr. Richard currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer and Senior Fellow of the Global Council for Science and the Environment. Tom is the author or co-author of over 300 research and technical publications, a Fellow of ASABE, and a Fellow and Past President of the Institute of Biological Engineering. He has a B.S. from the University of California at Berkeley, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University.