Brent Richards is the new Vice President of Academics at OSSM. A member of OSSM’s Class of 1996, Dr. Richards started at OSSM in 2008 as a professor of Biology. In addition to teaching, he has served in many other roles, including director of the Student Mentorship program, a hallmark of the OSSM education and a form of learning that integrates work experience outside of the classroom with their studies inside the classroom. Through partnerships with more than 60 academic institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the Oklahoma city area, OSSM students participate in independent research or other projects in their field of interest under the direction of an experienced professional. 

Dr. Richards earned his bachelor’s of science in Biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 and his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Georgetown University in 2006. From 2006-08, Dr. Richards served as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health.