Laura Lee Richardson, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and the Director of Preclinical Education at Marshall University Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, died suddenly at her home over the Memorial Day weekend.  Laura was born in Washington, D.C. on November 22, 1950 to Laurence E. and Catharine G. Richardson. She received her primary and secondary education at the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Md., an institution to which she remained committed throughout her life.  Laura received a BA degree in biology from Newton College of the Sacred Heart, followed by a Master of Science degree in biology from the University of Virginia. She then worked at Georgetown University as a Research Instructor prior to entering their Ph.D. program and receiving her doctoral degree in Cell Biology.  She received postdoctoral training at The Burnham Institute and the University of Tennessee before joining the Department of Anatomy, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall as an Assistant Professor.  Laura was very enthusiastic about teaching to both graduate and medical students, educating the students in the areas of cell biology and microscopic anatomy. She served as the Director of Pre-Clinical Education and was instrumental in the education programs of the first-year medical students at Marshall.  She conducted research in the area of testicular cancer and received funding from the National Institutes of Health for her work. She was also a member of the American Society for Cell Biology, Society for the Study of Reproduction and the American Society of Andrology.  Laura was particularly proud of her leadership in the establishment of the Anatomy Outreach Program that brought Huntington-area high school students to the anatomy labs at Marshall, where they learned about career paths by spending time with medical students and faculty. The program has grown every year since it was created and supports efforts by the Marshall University admissions office to attract minority students and students from rural West Virginia to the medical school.  She was equally proud of her role as the director of the Human Gift Registry, a program that encouraged donations of human bodies for medical student education. Under Laura’s leadership, donations more than doubled. To honor donors and their families, she organized an annual memorial service that has become an emotional touchstone for all who are involved.  Throughout her life, Laura was a huge music fan. She loved the Beatles and cherished the memory of seeing the Fab Four perform live when she was 13. She also adored the Beach Boys and her 1966 Mustang convertible.  Later on, Laura learned to love sailing with her father in their beloved Catboat on the Chesapeake Bay. Maybe it was something about the wind in hair.  Laura is survived by her sister Amy of Vienna, Va.; her brother James of Charlottesville, Va.; and her brother Matthew of McLean, Va. She also leaves behind six nieces and nephews.  A memorial service at Marshall will be held later this summer. Reger Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.