Katharina Richard

Katharina Richard, PhD serves as Assistant Director of In Vivo Service at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine's Translational Laboratory Shared Resource (TLSR) within the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. She holds the academic rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, with an interim Visiting Assistant Professor appointment.

Education:

• BA, St. Mary's College of Maryland (2004)
• Postbac, NIAMS/NIH (2004-2005)
• PhD, University of Maryland College Park (2011)
• Postdoctoral Study, University of Maryland School of Medicine (2012-2018)

Research Focus: Dr. Richard's work spans two major domains: (1) innate immunity, particularly TLR4 signaling pathways and Francisella tularensis vaccine development using catanionic nanoparticle carriers, and (2) oncology animal models, where she advises PIs on experimental design, protocol approvals, and compliance for preclinical studies. Her TLR4 SNP mouse model (2021) significantly advanced understanding of human pathogen response mechanisms.

Recent Publications: Her 2024 studies on sarcoma metastasis prevention through prophylactic radiotherapy and BCL-2 inhibition in AML demonstrate clinical translation potential. Earlier work on methylglyoxal's inflammatory role (2021) and NLRC4 inflammasome inhibition (2016) established novel immunological mechanisms.

Scientific Honors:

• 2005 NIAMS Student of the Year
• 2012-2014 SPII T32 Postdoctoral Trainee
• 2014 UMB Postdoctoral Travel Grant
• Co-inventor on two patents for nanoparticle vaccine technology

Professional Service: Active in scientific societies including the Association for Biomolecular Resource Facilities (2022-), American Society for Microbiology (2011-), and International Endotoxin & Innate Immunity Society (2011-2023). She maintains BSL-3 lab training since 2012 and plays a critical compliance role in TLSR operations.