[3] Before this appointment, Richmond served as a Professor of Physical Chemistry and held the Presidential Chair in Science at the University of Oregon.

[4] Her research has focused on understanding the chemistry and physics of complex surfaces and interfaces, using laser-based experimental and theoretical computational methods.

Throughout her career she has also worked to increase the number and success of women scientists in the U.S. and in many developing countries through the COACh program that she founded in 1999.

[16][17] A significant focus of her studies at air-water interfaces has been on the adsorption and reactivity of atmospherically important species, including carbon dioxide, sulfur-containing compounds, and small organic molecules relevant to climate change and air pollution.

Richmond is the founding director of  COACh, a grassroots organization based out of the University of Oregon that conducts research on challenges that women and minority groups face in achieving their STEM career aspirations.

[21]  It also provides career building workshops aimed at increasing the number and success of women scientists in the U.S. and in many developing countries around the globe.

[26] Since 2016 she has served as Secretary of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences[27] and is the 2019–2020 President of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society.