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Dr Tom Richardson

BA (Biology) Bucknell University, Pennsylvania, USA - 1984
PhD (Botany) Pennsylvania State University, USA - 1990>

Dr Tom Richardson was appointed Scion’s Chief Executive Officer in 2005 having spent 13 years with the organisation as a practicing scientist and science manager. His experience has led to frequent assignments on advisory boards, external review panels and international science delegations.

Tom first accepted a position in 1992, in molecular genetics with the New Zealand Crown Research Institute now known as Scion. During this period he established the still-active genomics research group, and a spin out company “SignaGen”, which provided high-throughput DNA testing to the ag-bio sector.

In 1998, he was appointed to the CRI’s executive management team as leader of the Future Forests Portfolio, and appointed as Chief Operating Officer, Science, in 2002.

As CEO, Tom’s key objective is for Scion to support New Zealand in meeting the Government’s objective of transforming our economy and society towards a more knowledge based and innovative future.

His aim is for Scion to continue working alongside key industry sectors in the areas of forest research and development, biomaterials, bioenergy and sustainable consumer products, to support New Zealand in:

• achieving sustainable development,
• enhancing our national capabilities, and
• capturing and capitalising on global opportunities.

Originally from the United State of America, Dr Richardson holds a PhD in Plant Genetics from Pennsylvania State University.

Selected Publications

Kumar, S.; Richardson, T. E. 2004. Inferring relatedness and heritability using molecular markers in radiata pine. Molecular Breeding 15:55-64

Kumar, S.; Echt, C.; Wilcox P.L.; Richardson, T.E. 2004. Testing for linkage disequilibrium in the New Zealand radiata pine breeding population. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 108: 292-298.

Chagné, D.; Chaumeil, P.; Ramboer A.; Collada, C.; Guevara, A.; Cervera, M. T.; Vendramin, G.G.; Garcia, V.; Frigerio, J-M; Echt, C.; Richardson T.; Plomion, C. 2004. Cross-species transferability and mapping of genomic and cDNA SSRs in pines. Theoretical and Applied Genetics (In Press)

Plomion, C.; Cooke, J.; Richardson, T.E.; MacKay, J.; Tuskan, G. 2003. Report on the Forest Trees Workshop at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference, 12 January 2003, San Diego, CA, USA. Comparative and Functional Genomics 2003; 4: 229-238.

Wilcox, P.L.; Richardson, T.E.; Corbett, G.E.; Ball, R.D.; Lee, J.R.; Djorovic, A.; Carson, S.D. 2001: Framework linkage maps of Pinus radiata D. Don based on pseudotestcross markers. Forest Genetics 8(2): 109-227.

Wilcox, P.L.; Carson, S.D.; Richardson, T.E.; Ball, R.D.; Horgan, G.P.; Carter, P. 2001: Cost benefit analysis of DNA marker based-selection in progenies of Pinus radiata seed orchard parents. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 31(12): 2213-2224

Cato, S.A.; Gardner, R.C.; Kent, J. and Richardson, T.E. 2001 A rapid PCR-based method for genetically mapping ESTs. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 201: 296-306

Drummond, R.S.M.; Keeling, D.J.; Richardson, T.E.; Gardner, R.C. and Wright, S.D. 2000. Genetic analysis and conservation of a rare New Zealand tree, Metrosideros bartlettii (Myrtaceae). Molecular Ecology 9:1149-1157.

Burdon, R.D.; Richardson, T.E. 2000. Seeing the wood from the genes. Australiasian Science 21(3): 23-25.

Hirst, P.; Richardson, T.E.; Carson, S.D. and Bradshaw, R.E. 1999. Dothistroma pini genetic diversity is low in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Cato, S.A.; Corbett, G.E. and Richardson, T.E. 1999. Evaluation of AFLP for genetic mapping in Pinus radiata. Molecular Breeding 5: 275-281.