MBiotech (UF), MSc (UDS), PhD (UHEI)
Email katharina.robichon@otago.ac.nz
Research interests
I am an immunologist specializing in autoimmune diseases, with a strong background in persistent viral infections. I am fascinated by how the immune system functions and how, in the case of autoimmune diseases, it can mistakenly turn against the body it is meant to protect.
My research focuses on understanding the factors that shape disease onset, progression, and response to treatment, with a particular emphasis on multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
I am based in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine (Wellington), where I lead a translational research team in close collaboration with neurologists, rheumatologists, basic scientists, and chemists. By leveraging advanced tools such as full-spectrum flow cytometry and molecular techniques, our goal is to identify immune cell phenotypes and biomarkers that could explain treatment failure and pave the way for more personalized and effective interventions.
Current research interests include:
- Characterising immunophenotypic changes in response to established therapies for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Exploring the relationship between chronic viral infections and successful treatment outcomes in autoimmune conditions
- Investigating the mechanisms of action of both existing and novel therapies by testing their effects on healthy immune cells
Research expertise
- Autoimmune diseases
- Adaptive immunology
- Viral infections
- Flow cytometry
Supervision
Katharina is available for supervising Honours or PhD students whose research areas align with those outlined above. She supports early career researchers from his position as a member of the Division of Health Sciences Early-to-Mid career management committee.
Publications
Sondhauss, S., Kiernan, M., Morizzi, J., Wright, P., Prisinzano, T. E., Kivell, B. M., Robichon, K., & La Flamme, A. C. (2026). Development and application of an LC-MS method for the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral therapeutic efficacy of nalfurafine. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 138, e70178. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.70178 Journal - Research Article
Denny, L., Robichon, K., Templeton, N., Kiernan, M., Prisinzano, T. E., Kivell, B. M., & La Flamme, A. C. (2025). Nalmefene enhances the remyelinating ability of nalfurafine when administered therapeutically at very low doses during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 14(12), e70069. doi: 10.1002/cti2.70069 Journal - Research Article
Robichon, K., Taylor, J., Milner, I., Hally, K. E., & La Flamme, A. C. (2025). Monitoring treatment-associated receptor expression in multiple sclerosis using a newly developed panel for spectral flow cytometry. Cytometry Part A, 107(10), 668-682. doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.24963 Journal - Research Article
Robichon, K. (2023, February). Analysis of receptor abundances in multiple sclerosis to determine treatment regime. Verbal presentation at the Maurice Wilkins Centre (MWC) for Molecular Biodiversity Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Robichon, K., Bibi, R., Kiernan, M., Denny, L., Prisinzano, T. E., Kivell, B. M., & La Flamme, A. C. (2023). Enhanced and complementary benefits of a nalfurafine and fingolimod combination to treat immune-driven demyelination. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 12, e1480. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1480 Journal - Research Article