Research interests
Many neuroimmunological conditions have the potential to result in devastating disability, including blindness, paralysis, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment. However, it is increasingly recognised that expedited recognition and diagnosis, and the institution of early and appropriate immunotherapy can result in excellent outcomes. Dr Ramanathan is committed to translational research including basic science projects which help us better understand what triggers autoimmunity, underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, putative targets for the actions of antibodies, and targets for novel therapeutic agents. She also leads clinical projects with an emphasis on detailed clinical phenotyping which permits early recognition and diagnosis of these conditions, evaluating therapeutic responses, identifying the most effective treatment algorithms, and determinating features that optimise patients' outcomes.

Dr Ramanathan completed her PhD on the clinical and immunological characterisation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated demyelination. In 2016, she established and has since been the lead investigator of the Australasian and New Zealand MOG Study Group. This is a unique collaborative platform of over 150 adult and paediatric neurologists from over 45 centres throughout Australasia, with the goal of better understanding and treating antibody-associated demyelination. She heads this collaboration, and works closely with Professor Russell Dale (paediatric neurologist/ neuroimmunologist) and Associate Professor Fabienne Brilot (scientist) at the Kids Neuroscience Centre on these patients. This research team is now responsible for one of the largest international cohorts of close to 500 paediatric and adult patients with MOG antibody-associated demyelination, and have led a number of important publications for the field.

Dr Ramanathan has been the chief investigator for scholarships and grants providing research funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Brain Foundation.