[1] Richardson began his academic career in 1968 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Fort Lewis College, a role he held until 1969.
He joined the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where he served as a Professor in the Department of Geriatric Medicine from 2013 to 2019.
Since 2013, he has held the Donald W. Reynolds Endowed Chair of Aging Research at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
[7][8] Subsequent studies, using both transgenic and knockout mice, found limited evidence that oxidative stress significantly influences lifespan, although it may contribute to age-related diseases such as cancer.
[9][10] In his research on the molecular mechanisms of aging beyond oxidative stress, Richardson explored the role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, showing that its inhibition by rapamycin extends lifespan in mice and ameliorates cognitive deficits and amyloid-beta pathology in Alzheimer's disease models.
[11][12] However, he also identified that rapamycin-induced longevity is independent of insulin sensitivity, implicating distinct pathways in the regulation of aging and metabolic health.