Dr. Frances Richmond was educated as a neurophysiologist (BNSc, MSc, PhD) at Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario). She completed post-doctoral studies at the Université de Montreal and the National Institutes of Health before joining the faculty of Queen's University, where she served as Associate Dean of Life Sciences (1986-1989). She also served as a policy advisor for scientific labor needs at Industry Canada (1990-1992) and as a clinical scientist at the Alfred E. Mann Foundation, an early stage device development group (1994-1995). She was the first female to be appointed Director of a research consortium funded by Canada's Medical Research Council (1995-2000).

Dr. Richmond joined the faculty of USC in 1999 as Director of Regulatory and Clinical Sciences at the Alfred E. Mann Institute where she served for 8 years. Her work there included seven projects in the field of product development which have advanced through the clinical trial stage. Though focused mostly on the BION, an implantable wireless microstimulator, she was also involved in research on other implantables, sensors and prosthetic limbs. Dr. Richmond is or has been a member of three large research consortia (NIH Engineering Research partnership, NIH Bioengineering Research partnership, Clinical and Translational Science Institute). She directs the Regulatory Knowledge and Support group of the CSTI for the Los Angeles Basin.

Since 1999 Dr. Richmond was a part-time faculty member of the School of Pharmacy, and transitioned to a full-time position in 2008. Dr Richmond is currently Director of the International Center for Regulatory Science, that provides certificate, MS and doctoral training in the regulatory management of foods, dietary supplements, medical devices and drugs. A major focus of the International Center is on global outreach and research related to regulation in emerging economies.