Richard Anderson is an alumnus of San Jose State University, with a master’s degree in microbiology. His studies also emphasized molecular biology and biochemistry. Several years after earning his MA, Richard obtained a Clinical Laboratory Bioanalyst license. In subsequent years, he worked in various administrative and technical management roles in laboratory settings, beginning his first assignment as a clinical laboratory director in 1993.
In 2006, he began working in a reference laboratory for Quest Diagnostics; he continued working in various Quest laboratories as a laboratory administrative director and technical director. Shortly before the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Richard began to further explore research areas that had caught his attention during his studies and employment years. As a result of his research, new information came to light that sparked his enthusiasm. And as the pandemic engulfed the world, research and writing his first non-fiction book, "The Evolution of Life" filled the voids left by relative isolation. The completion of this book prompted the creation of his fiction series, "Outbound", looking into the future of humanity, off-planet.