His project aims to determine the prevalence in Ghana of dysbetalipoproteinaemia, a genetic lipid disorder associated with raised concentrations of both total cholesterol and triglycerides. Although the disorder is strongly associated with early atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, many clinicians are unaware of it. The study will also describe the lipid profiles of the population, as well as provide information on lipid control in high-risk patients such as patients attending diabetic clinics. It will also provide information on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other lipoprotein disorders, which will help inform clinicians about dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis risk. 

 
After familiarising himself with the relevant theory and laboratory techniques, Richmond will spend several months in Ghana, collecting samples from patients in cardiac and diabetic clinics as well as from population control subjects. He will carry out some of his laboratory work in Ghana before returning to UCT to complete all the analyses. It is expected that he will graduate in 2022.