• Associate Professor of Microbial Physiology and Taxonomy (2017-)
• Associate Head of School (Biological Sciences Subject Group Lead) (2017-2019)
• Academic Staff Representative to the University Alumni Board (2015-2017)
• Academic Staff Member of Student Recruitment Working Party (2015-2017)
• Faculty of Science and Engineering Recruitment and Marketing Lead (2015-2017)
• School Representitive to the Faculty Equality and Diversity Committee (2013)
• School Representitive to the Faculty Board (2012-2016)

Fellow, Linnean Society of London (FLS, 2009)

Fellow, Royal Microscopical Society (FRMS, 2013)

Fellow, Royal Society of Biology (FRSB, 2017)

Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA, 2014)

Fellow, Zoological Society of London (FZS, 2019)

Member, Society for Microbiology (2005)

Member, Society for Applied Microbiology (2005)

Member, British Society for History of Science (2017)

Member, Systematics Association Member (2018)

Carnivorous Plant Society Member (2014)

British MENSA (2016)

Editor-In-Chief, FEMS Microbiology Letters (Federation of European Microbiology Societies/Oxford University Press, November 2014 - December 2024, 2 × 5-year terms)

Publications Board, Federation of European Microbiological Societies (November 2014 - December 2024)
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE - full Member - Mar 2015 - Dec 2024).

Trustee and Council Member, Linnean Society of London (2021-2024, 3-year fixed term)

Yarnley, Caleb (2023-2025) ResM (ongoing) on the physiology of the chemolithoheterotroph model organism Achromobacter aegrifaciens Culture B. (Supervisor: Dr Rich Boden, Co-Supervisor: Dr Anne Plessis)

Anderson von Trampe, Toby (2022-2026) PhD (ongoing) on the development of biotechnologies for the production of hydroponic growth media by valorising agricultural wastes. (Supervisor: Dr Anne Plessis; Co-Supervisor: Dr Rich Boden).

Jebril, Nadia (2016-2020) PhD "Lab-scale bioremediation technology: the development of environmental biotechnology for the ex situ bioremediation of cadmium-contaminated freshwater" (Supervisor: Dr Rich Boden, Co-Supervisor: Dr Charlotte Braungardt). Now: in an academic position in Iraq.

Vassallo, Joanne (2014-2018), PhD "The bioavailability and biological effects of nanomaterials towards Escherichia coli: with reference to the soil environment". (Supervisor: Prof Richard Handy, Co-Supervisor: Dr Rich Boden). Now: working in environmental hazard assessment industry in the UK.

Berkley, Nicholas AJ (2014-2018), PhD "Patterns and process: biodiversity and ecosystem function response to changes in the arable landscape" (Supervisor: Dr Mick Hanley, Co-Supervisor: Dr Rich Boden). Now: working at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, UK.

Hutt, Lee P (2012-2016), PhD "Taxonomy, physiology and biochemistry of the sulfur Bacteria. (Supervisor: Dr Rich Boden, Co-Supervisor: Dr A John Moody). Now: working in an academic post in the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth.

Modules currently lead:

BIOL131/BIOL131Z Cells: The Building Blocks of Life

BIOL211Z Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry

BIOL322/BIOL322Z Aquatic Microbial Ecology

also contribute to: BIOL119 Introduction To Biology; BIOL132Z Ecology and the Diversity of Life; BIOL220Z Molecular Biology.

Doctoral College's Researcher Development Programme (for Ph.D students/postdocs across the University): Keeping Laboratory Records; Presenting for Conferences) 

Press Releases Relating To Teaching Activities MBIO208 Microbial Life - Plymouth students given unique access to next-generation DNA sequencing technology: (now BIOL211Z) [first use worldwide of hands-on next-generation sequencing in undergraduate teaching]

Summer students and Placement Year Interns

For current students interested in such opportunities, please email me - regardless of which university you are studying at. Summer Studentship funding is usually for students at the end of their second year and must be applied for in the Sept at the start of your second year. Placement Years are unfunded, and I would normally see applications again around the start to middle of the second year. Those internships usually begin in July after your second year and run for 6-12 months.

Bell, Faye-Marie (2023-2024) Placement Year Intern.

Rae, Alex (2017-2018) Placement Year Intern.

Etty, Joss; Colburn Kat; Groom, Ben (2014-2015) Placement Year Interns.

Cowling, Jack; Hathway, Thomas (2013-2014) Placement Year Interns.

Baylis, Ryan (2012-2013), Placement Year Intern.

Larsen, Svend (2007), SGM-funded Summer Student.

Awards, honours and nominations

University of Plymouth Students' Union (various, including 2024), Beacon Award (previously SSTAR Awards (nominations only) for (2015) "innovative use of teaching methods" for use of next-generation sequencing in undergraduate practicals and (2024) "most inspirational teaching of the year" for standard of student support and inspirational teaching. "Rich has been a huge source of inspiration in Stage One".

Federation of European Microbiological Societies (2020) Special Merit Award for service to the Federation with specific reference to efforts in equality and diversity and commitment to early-career training and support.

American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (2009), Best Research Presentation for work on the Boden-Kelly pathway of dimethylsulfide oxidation to tetrathionate and environmental geochemistry of thiosulfate and tetrathionate in the oceans.

Society for General Microbiology (as was, 2008), International Early-Career Microbiologist of the Year for work on the Boden-Kelly pathway of dimethylsulfide oxidation.

University of Warwick (2008), Best Research Presentation Award, for work on the Boden-Kelly pathway of dimethylsulfide oxidation.

King's College London Student's Union (2004), Half-Laurels for service to students living in University accomodation.

Consultancy and Contract Research

I regularly perform consultancy and contract research for small businesses up to multinational companies across a diversity of industries including power companies, mining and mineral companies, compost and biotechnology companies. I have also done several pieces of work for the television, theatre and movie industries (which I am happy to do under long-term NDAs and similar agreements) at various tiers including working with actors, production designers, costume designers, prosthetics designers, scriptwriters, showrunners and prop makers.

Some examples of my contract research and consultancy work:

Imerys Minerals, Pigments for Paper Division, Par, Cornwall, UK (2012), contract research.

AtkinsRealis, London, UK (2013), consultancy.

Blue Sky Bio Ltd, Ince, Cheshire, UK (2014), contract research.

[REDACTED UNDER NDA: major global television production company and network], New York City, NY, USA (2018-2019), consultancy.

Research Council, Government and Charitable Funding

Innovate UK (2017-2019), Knowledge Transfer Partnership for the University of Plymouth (£220,297 total value) with Phoenix Engineering Ltd, Lauceston, UK. PI: Dr Rich Boden. Development of methods for heavy-metal removal from treated leachate-water from landfill sites.

Innovate UK (2016-2018), Knowledge Transfer Partnership for the University of Plymouth (£178,884 total value) with New Generation Biogas Totnes, UK. PI: Dr Rich Boden. Improvement and optimisation of biphasic system for the production of gas-to-grid-quality methane from agricultural and abatoir wastes. Terminated early owing to bankruptcy of the industrial partner.

University of Plymouth (2017), HEIF funding (£65,000) for proof-of-principle of a new biomining and biorecoverty system. PI: Dr Rich Boden. Postdoc: Dr Lee P Hutt. 

Seale-Hayne Educational Trust (2013-2015) for the University of Plymouth (£4,962). PI: Dr Rich Boden. MAsC: The impact of microbes in the mobilisation of arsenic in soils in Devon and Cornwall.

Natural Environment Research Council (2013-2014) for the University of Plymouth (£94,246 - multi-institution grant). PI: Dr Rich Boden (leading the entire project across all institutions). NE/L002213/1. BioORE: Biogeochemistry, Bioextraction and Biorecovery of Rare-Earth Elements (Catalyst Funding).

Royal Society (2012-2014) for the University of Plymouth (£12,900). PI: Dr Rich Boden. RG120444. Growth Physiology of Chemolithoheterotrophs.

University of Plymouth (2012-2015) fully-funded PhD studentship for (then) Mr Lee P Hutt. PI: Dr Rich Boden, CoI: Dr A John Moody. Biochemistry and physiology of sulfur-oxidising members of the Bacteria.

Natural Environment Research Council (2009-2012) for the University of Warwick (£333,826). PI: Prof J Colin Murrell; Researcher CoI: Dr Rich Boden. NE/G017956/1. Microbial food webs in Movile Cave.

Media work and press coverage

BYUradio (2019) interview on work on Movile Cave, Romania and microbial evolution in general. [satellite radio, Utah but US-wide coverage]

BBC Earth (2016) interview on leading first UK expedition into Movile Cave, Romania. [website, international]

Carbon Chauvenist (2016) interview on leading first UK expedition into Movile Cave, Romania. [blog, international]

ScienceWorld (2016, 73/4, pp. 14-17) interview aimed at US school children on work on Movile Cave, Romania. [magazine, USA aimed at school teachers and children]

Illustreret Videnskab (2016, vol. 17, pp. 62-70) interview and article in Swedish on leading first UK expedition into Movile Cave, Romania. [magazine, Sweden, Norway, Faroe, Iceland, Denmark, Åland, Finland]

Linnean Society of London (2017/19) video for GCSE and A-level students on Brownian Motion. [eLearning resource, national]

British Library (2014) EthOS scheme promotational video, one of three academics filmed for the original incarnation. [infomercial online, national]

Times Higher Education (2013, April 11-17, pp. 44-46) interview and article on work on Movile Cave, Romania. [magazine, international]

Discovery Channel USA/Canada (2012) episodes of a series linking mythological events to their scientific underpinning. [TV series, USA and Canada]

Descent Magazine (2012, issue 224 pp. 28-31) interview and article on first UK expedition into Movile Cave, Romania. [magazine, national]

BBC Radio, The Naked Scientists (2011) interview on work on Movile Cave, Romania. [radio interview, national and international podcast]

Conference Participation

(all include oral presentations of research unless stated)

Microbe World-FEMS Congress Online (2021) Organised and Chaired a session on the history of microscopy and the van Leeuwenhoek microscopes. Speakers drawn from curators, historians and scientists.

Linnean Society of London, UK (2019) Invited to participate in a day-conference on women in the Linnean Society and science at large, presenting historical research and participating in panel discussion and Q&A.

FEMS Congress Glasgow, UK (2019) Organised and Chaired a session on Microbial Sulfur Metabolism. Contributed to Discussion Session on eqaulity, diversity, dignity and inclusivity in microbiology as a whole. Various discussion fora on aspects of working in microbiology and careers.

FEMS Congress Maastricht, Netherlands (2015) Organised and Chaired a session on Microbiology Education. Panel on editing/writing advise for early-career microbiologists.

European Sulfur Microbiology Workshop, Helsingør, Denmark (2015) Chaired a session on Sulfur In the Environment.

Japanese Atomic Energy Agency Workshop, Birmingham, UK (2013)

European Sulfur Microbiology Workshop, Tomar, Portugal (2009)

American Society for Limnology and Oceanography Conference, Nice, France (2009)

Gordon Research Conference on C1 Microbiology, Lewiston, Maine, USA (2008) invited talk.

Royal Society Discussion Meeting on Trace Gases, London (2007). Partipant, no talk.

Society for General Microbiology Conferences (Coventry, 2006; Edinburgh, 2007, Dublin, 2008, Coventry, 2012) - including giving CV workshops for PhD students and presenting research.

DMS(P) Workshop, Norwich, UK (2006).

Outreach activity and invited 'lay' talks

Linnean Society of London, UK (2022) public lecture on advances in our understanding of sulfur-oxidising symbionts in the Bivalva.

Devonport High Schools for Boys/Girls, Plymouth, UK (various 2012-present) lectures on microbiology to 6th form pupils.

Linnean Society of London, UK (2012) invited public lecture on Movile Cave microbiology, inaugoral lecture of the refurbished Meeting Room.

Oakham School, Rutland, UK (2011) inaugoral lecture of their new Sixth Form lecture theatre.

Northlands Primary School, Rugby, UK (2010-12) microscopist in residence.

Science in the 21st Century Scheme, Warwickshire, UK (2008-2010) supervised 6th form students in projects on a day-release basis at the University of Warwick in various areas of microbiology including growth on room-temperature ionic liquids.