ROBERT’S BIOGRAPHY

Robert L. Richardson Jr., Ph.D., is a Senior Research Physical Scientist and Program Manager affiliated with the Florida Space Institute (FSI) from the Florida Institute of Technology. With nearly three decades of dedicated experience, Dr. Richardson specializes in advanced research & development for remote sensing and specializes in all areas of Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT). His extensive scientific background and leadership have significantly contributed to advancements in national security technologies.

Dr. Richardson has successfully managed numerous research and development projects, facilitating collaboration between academic institutions, industry, and the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC). He has played a pivotal role in helping academic and research institutions secure essential DoD funding by translating complex, classified research requirements into accessible, unclassified academic proposals.

For twenty-six years, Dr. Richardson held key scientific research and development and technical program management roles at the Central MASINT Organization (CMO) then the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), where he established innovative programs to bridge the gap between government research needs and academic capabilities. His early career includes impactful positions at Pisgah Labs and several pioneering remote-sensing research initiatives.

Dr. Richardson earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (dissertation: “Optimization of Open Path Fourier-transform Spectrometry”) from the University of Idaho, an M.S. in Physical Chemistry from Cornell University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Appalachian State University.