Overview
Background
Prof Karen Moritz is internationally renowned for her work in understanding how early life perturbations contribute to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disease in adulthood. Over the last 5-7 years, her research has focused on determining how prenatal alcohol can result in “developmental programming” of disease. Her research has identified critical windows of susceptibility to alcohol, including the period around conception and prior to implantation. In addition, her work has identified the placenta as playing a key role in the sex-specific offspring outcomes following maternal perturbations. Her research spans both preclinical and clinical domains, highlighted by her appointment as the Director of the Child Health Research Centre in 2016.
Current projects are:
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Periconceptional alcohol exposure: Programming long-term health in offspring (with Dr Lisa Akison and Dr James Cuffe)
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Emerging therapies for diabetes and complications: Effects on metabolic, cardiovascular and renal function (with Dr Linda Gallo)
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Effect of prenatal insults on the developing placenta (with Dr Marloes Nitert Dekker, Prof Vicki Clifton [Mater], Dr David Simmons and Dr James Cuffe)
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Effect of prenatal insults on the developing kidney and implications for adult disease (with Dr Peter Trnka [QLD Children's Hospital])
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Impact of maternal cannabis and alcohol around conception on development and long-term health of offspring (with Dr David Simmons and Dr Lisa Akison)
Prof Moritz maintains a strong commitment to teaching of students, including lectures and research student supervision in undergraduate programs, supervision of Honours students and supervision of higher degree research students.
Availability
- Professor Karen Moritz is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne
Works
Search Professor Karen Moritz’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process
Erng, May Na, Reid, Natasha, Moritz, Karen M. and van Driel, Mieke (2024). A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process. Health Education Research, 39 (6) cyae037, 554-567. doi: 10.1093/her/cyae037
2024
Journal Article
Prenatal alcohol exposure and associations with physical size, dysmorphology and neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Akison, Lisa K., Hayes, Nicole, Vanderpeet, Chelsea, Logan, Jayden, Munn, Zachary, Middleton, Philippa, Moritz, Karen M., Reid, Natasha and Australian FASD Guidelines Development Group, on behalf of the Australian FASD Guidelines Consortium (2024). Prenatal alcohol exposure and associations with physical size, dysmorphology and neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 22 (1) 467. doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03656-w
2024
Journal Article
Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study
Garavelis, Khari, Hayes, Nicole, Maloney, Maree, Liddle, Karen, Moritz, Karen, Gullo, Matthew J., Rose, Tanya, Gullo, Hannah, McMah, Rebecca, Heussler, Helen and Reid, Natasha (2024). Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 24 (1) 874. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05756-w
2024
Journal Article
The impacts of periconceptional alcohol on neonatal ovaries and subsequent adult fertility in the rat
Steane, Sarah E., Burgess, Danielle J., Moritz, Karen M. and Akison, Lisa K. (2024). The impacts of periconceptional alcohol on neonatal ovaries and subsequent adult fertility in the rat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (5) 2471, 2471. doi: 10.3390/ijms25052471
2024
Journal Article
Exploring the experience of service users following attendance at a student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic
Garavelis, Khari Nicola, Hayes, Nicole, Rose, Tanya A., Maloney, Maree, Liddle, Karen, Moritz, Karen, Gullo, Matthew, Gullo, Hannah L., McMah, Rebeccah, Heussler, Helen and Reid, Natasha (2024). Exploring the experience of service users following attendance at a student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46 (7), 1298-1308. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2193430
2024
Conference Publication
Restricted Water Diffusion in the Renal Cortex is Associated with Early Developmental Factors and Elevated Urinary Cytokines in Preadolescents
Michael, Navin, Lu, Liangjian, Ooi, Delicia Shu Qin, Chan, Chang-Yien, Thirumugan, Kashthuri, Sadananthan, Suresh Anand, Prasad, Pottumarthi V., Fortier, Marielle, Loy, See Ling, Hian, Tan Kok, Yap, Fabian, Chong, Yap Seng, Godfrey, Keith, Gluckman, Peter, Eriksson, Johan G., Lee, Yung Seng, Moritz, Karen, Chan, Shiao-Yng, Wlodek, Mary and Velan, S. Sendhil (2024). Restricted Water Diffusion in the Renal Cortex is Associated with Early Developmental Factors and Elevated Urinary Cytokines in Preadolescents. Concord, CA: ISMRM. doi: 10.58530/2023/3804
2024
Conference Publication
Multiparametric Renal MRI Reveals Ethnic Disparities in Multiple Kidney Function Markers in Asian Preadolescents
Michael, Navin, Lu, Liangjian, Ooi, Delicia Shu Qin, Chan, Chang-Yien, Thirumugan, Kashthuri, Kway, Yeshe, Sadananthan, Suresh Anand, Fortier, Marielle, Kuhn, Bernd, Chong, Mary Foong-Fong, Toh, Jia Ying, Tan, Kok Hian, Yap, Fabian, Chong, Yap Seng, Godfrey, Keith, Gluckman, Peter, Eriksson, Johan, Lee, Yung Seng, Moritz, Karen, Chan, Shiao-Yng, Wlodek, Mary and Velan, S. Sendhil (2024). Multiparametric Renal MRI Reveals Ethnic Disparities in Multiple Kidney Function Markers in Asian Preadolescents. Concord, CA: ISMRM. doi: 10.58530/2024/0781
2023
Journal Article
Brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition attenuates the diuretic response to saline loading in sheep with solitary functioning kidney
McArdle, Zoe, Singh, Reetu R., Moritz, Karen M., Schreuder, Michiel F. and Denton, Kate M. (2023). Brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition attenuates the diuretic response to saline loading in sheep with solitary functioning kidney. Clinical Science, 137 (16), 1285-1296. doi: 10.1042/cs20230663
2023
Journal Article
Diagnostic accuracy and economic value of a tiered assessment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (DATAforFASD): Protocol
Shanley, Dianne C, Zimmer-Gembeck, Melanie, Wheeler, Amanda J, Byrnes, Joshua, Ware, Robert S, Liu, Wei, Simcock, Gabrielle, White, Codi, Horton, Sarah, Page, Marjad, Shelton, Doug, Till, Haydn, Mills, Ianthe, Hislop, Carly, Harris, Katrina, Crichton, Alison, Reid, Natasha, Reilly, Sheena, Moritz, Karen, Walsh, Kerryann, Rundle-Thiele, Sharyn and Hawkins, Erinn (2023). Diagnostic accuracy and economic value of a tiered assessment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (DATAforFASD): Protocol. BMJ Open, 13 (8) e071004, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071004
2023
Journal Article
Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth
Kent, Nykola L., Atluri, Sharat C., Moritz, Karen M. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2023). Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth. Placenta, 139, 148-158. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.06.010
2023
Journal Article
Prenatal alcohol exposure risk perception dimensions and influencing factors: A systematic review and conceptual model
Erng, May N., Reid, Natasha, Moritz, Karen M. and van Driel, Mieke (2023). Prenatal alcohol exposure risk perception dimensions and influencing factors: A systematic review and conceptual model. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 47 (3) 100047, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100047
2023
Conference Publication
Brief angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition early in life delays the onset of albuminuria in sheep born with a solitary functioning kidney
Denton, Kate, McArdle, Zoe, Moritz, Karen and Schreuder, Michiel (2023). Brief angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition early in life delays the onset of albuminuria in sheep born with a solitary functioning kidney. American Physiology Summit 2023 Meeting, Long Beach, CA United States, 20–23 April 2023. Rockville, MD United States: American Physiological Society. doi: 10.1152/physiol.2023.38.s1.5730732
2023
Journal Article
Periconceptional alcohol alters in vivo heart function in ageing female rat offspring: Possible involvement of oestrogen receptor signalling
Dorey, Emily S., Headrick, John P., Paravicini, Tamara M., Wlodek, Mary E., Moritz, Karen M. and Reichelt, Melissa E. (2023). Periconceptional alcohol alters in vivo heart function in ageing female rat offspring: Possible involvement of oestrogen receptor signalling. Experimental Physiology, 108 (5), 772-784. doi: 10.1113/ep090587
2023
Journal Article
“Our mothers have handed that to us. Her mother has handed that to her”: Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander yarning about community wellbeing, healthy pregnancies, and the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Lyall, Vivian, Egert, Sonya, Reid, Natasha, Moritz, Karen and Askew, Deborah (2023). “Our mothers have handed that to us. Her mother has handed that to her”: Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander yarning about community wellbeing, healthy pregnancies, and the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (9) 5614, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20095614
2023
Journal Article
Beneficial effects of brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition wane with time in sheep with solitary functioning kidney
McArdle, Zoe, Singh, Reetu R., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Moritz, Karen M., Denton, Kate M. and Schreuder, Michiel F. (2023). Beneficial effects of brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition wane with time in sheep with solitary functioning kidney. Clinical Science, 137 (8), 603-615. doi: 10.1042/cs20220811
2023
Journal Article
The role of maternal choline, folate and one‐carbon metabolism in mediating the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on placental and fetal development
Steane, Sarah E., Cuffe, James S. M. and Moritz, Karen M. (2023). The role of maternal choline, folate and one‐carbon metabolism in mediating the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on placental and fetal development. The Journal of Physiology, 601 (6), 1061-1075. doi: 10.1113/jp283556
2023
Journal Article
Cardiometabolic and Renal DOHaD Outcomes in Offspring of Complicated Pregnancy
Giussani, Dino A., Reynolds, Rebecca M., Leeson, Paul, Moritz, Karen M., Bertram, John F. and Ozanne, Susan E. (2023). Cardiometabolic and Renal DOHaD Outcomes in Offspring of Complicated Pregnancy. Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 2 Edition, 85-99.
2023
Conference Publication
Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with sex specific alterations to the placenta and reduced cerebroplacental ratio
Steane, Sarah E., Edwards, Christopher, Kubler, Jade, Akison, Lisa K., Cuffe, James S. M., Gallo, Linda A., Moritz, Karen M. and Clifton, Vicki L. (2023). Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with sex specific alterations to the placenta and reduced cerebroplacental ratio. 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 21-25 March 2023. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s43032-023-01211-1
2023
Book Chapter
Physical and mental health in FASD
Moritz, Karen M., Akison, Lisa K., Hayes, Nicole and Reid, Natasha (2023). Physical and mental health in FASD. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. (pp. 241-267) edited by Omar A. Abdul-Rahman and Christie L. M. Petrenko. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-32386-7_12
2022
Journal Article
Altered bone and body composition in children and adolescents with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure
Young, Sophia L., Gallo, Linda A., Brookes, Denise S. K., Hayes, Nicole, Maloney, Maree, Liddle, Karen, James, Amanda, Moritz, Karen M. and Reid, Natasha (2022). Altered bone and body composition in children and adolescents with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. Bone, 164 116510, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116510
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Karen Moritz is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Biomarkers of acute kidney injury in infants
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Advancing facial dysmorphology diagnostic practices for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Akison, Dr Natasha Reid
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Doctor Philosophy
Delphi Study of Pregnancy Alcohol Risk Perceptions: Application for Health Educational Resources
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Prevalence of prenatal alcohol exposure and effects on placental stress pathways and adolescent bone health
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid, Dr Linda Gallo
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of periconceptional alcohol exposure on behavioural outcomes and circadian rhythms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Oliver Rawashdeh
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of periconceptional ethanol exposure on maternal and offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and associated behaviours in a rat model.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Cuffe
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of periconceptional alcohol exposure on renal and cardiovascular development and function
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Effects of Maternal Periconceptional Ethanol Exposure on the Development of the Pre-Implantation Embryo, Placenta, and the Influence of the Uterine Environment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Gestational hypoxia and programming of disease.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Joan Li
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic effects following periconceptional alcohol exposure in rat adult offspring: modulations by a postnatal western diet
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The Long Term Neurobehavioral Correlates of Chronic Low Dose Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure and the programming of cardiovascular disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wally Thomas
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The effects of maternal glucocorticoid exposure on the developing placenta.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on maternal, placental, and fetal micronutrients
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Cuffe, Honorary Professor Vicki Clifton, Dr Linda Gallo
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy on maternal, placental and fetal outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Cuffe
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The maternal microbiome, fetal sex and metabolism in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Linda Gallo
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2020
Master Philosophy
Changes in cardiac TRPM6 and TRPM7 expression during late gestation and transition to extra-uterine life in preterm and term piglets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yvonne Eiby
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The role of Coxsackie virus and Adenovirus receptor in mouse placental development: Labyrinth progenitors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Pituri Stories: A Multiple Methods Study of Pituri Use and Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in the central Australian Aboriginal Population.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman, Dr Fiona Bogossian
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Media
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