Professor Karen Moritz
Professor

Karen Moritz

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 65305

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:

  • Periconceptional alcohol exposure: Programming long-term health in offspring (with Dr Lisa Akison and Dr James Cuffe)

  • Emerging therapies for diabetes and complications: Effects on metabolic, cardiovascular and renal function (with Dr Linda Gallo)

  • Effect of prenatal insults on the developing placenta (with Dr Marloes Nitert Dekker, Prof Vicki Clifton [Mater], Dr David Simmons and Dr James Cuffe)

  • Effect of prenatal insults on the developing kidney and implications for adult disease (with Dr Peter Trnka [QLD Children's Hospital])

  • 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

Clinical sciences Zoology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne

Search Professor Karen Moritz’s works on UQ eSpace

357 works between 1990 and 2024
All (357) Journal Article (250) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (99) Book (1) Other Outputs (2)

1 - 20 of 357 works

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

A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process

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

Prenatal alcohol exposure and associations with physical size, dysmorphology and neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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

Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study

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

The impacts of periconceptional alcohol on neonatal ovaries and subsequent adult fertility in the rat

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

Exploring the experience of service users following attendance at a student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic

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. 2023 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Toronto, Canada, 3-8 June 2023. Concord, CA United States: ISMRM. doi: 10.58530/2023/3804

Restricted Water Diffusion in the Renal Cortex is Associated with Early Developmental Factors and Elevated Urinary Cytokines in Preadolescents

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. 2024 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting, Singapore, 4-9 May 2024. Concord, CA United States: ISMRM. doi: 10.58530/2024/0781

Multiparametric Renal MRI Reveals Ethnic Disparities in Multiple Kidney Function Markers in Asian Preadolescents

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

Diagnostic accuracy and economic value of a tiered assessment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (DATAforFASD): Protocol

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

Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth

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

Brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition attenuates the diuretic response to saline loading in sheep with solitary functioning kidney

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

Prenatal alcohol exposure risk perception dimensions and influencing factors: A systematic review and conceptual model

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

Periconceptional alcohol alters in vivo heart function in ageing female rat offspring: Possible involvement of oestrogen receptor signalling

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

Brief angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition early in life delays the onset of albuminuria in sheep born with a solitary functioning kidney

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

“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

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

Beneficial effects of brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition wane with time in sheep with solitary functioning kidney

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

The role of maternal choline, folate and one‐carbon metabolism in mediating the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on placental and fetal development

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

Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with sex specific alterations to the placenta and reduced cerebroplacental ratio

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

Physical and mental health in FASD

2023

Book Chapter

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. (pp. 85-99) edited by Lucilla Poston, Keith M. Godfrey, Peter D. Gluckman and Mark A. Hanson. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781009272254.011

Cardiometabolic and renal DOHaD outcomes in offspring of complicated pregnancy

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

Altered bone and body composition in children and adolescents with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Understanding how binge drinking affects kidney development (NHMRC 2023 Ideas Grant administed by Monash)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Expansion of FASD Diagnostic Services in Southern Queensland with Support for regional and remote settings
    Drug and Alcohol Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    A tiered approach to the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in remote Indigenous primary care settings (NHMRC Partnership Project administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Gene Expression to Predict Long-Term Outcome in Infants After Heart Surgery
    MRFF Accelerated Research - Congenital Heart Disease administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Host Gene Expression Signatures to Diagnose Sepsis in Children
    MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    The Drug and Alcohol Program: Review and Dissemination of the Australian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Tool GO2647
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Vevo 3100 Imaging System for ultrahigh resolution and frame rate echocardiographic assessment of small animals.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    The Best I can Be: Screening and assessing for FASD in the foster care system
    Key Assets the Children's Services Provider (Australia) Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Sakzewski Core Translational Research Group
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Chronic health outcomes following early life exposure to alcohol
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Services and Models of Care (Led by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Sakzewski Core Translational Research Group
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A state-of-the-art spinning disc confocal microscope for high speed imaging of live cells and super resolution microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    NHMRC Research Fellowship: Developmental programming: mechanisms and interventions
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Mitochondrial analysis suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Establishment of an Integrated Facility for Single Cell Analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Mechanisms and consequences of renal denervation in chronic kidney disease (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute)
    Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Periconceptional alcohol exposure: effects on the embryo and fetus and disease risk in adulthood
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Consequences of elevated maternal glucocorticoids for early childhood renal development and function (NHMRC Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Establishment of Integrated Small Animal Metabolic and Physiology Assessment Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Examining vascular structure and function using pressurised myography
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Placental clock gene expression in the Spiny Mouse
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Stress-induced disease risk for pregnant mothers born small (NHMRC project lead by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Modelling the regulation of nephron number by the renal stem cell niche
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Real time regional tissue analysis suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.2 FTE School of Biomedical Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    The role of hypoxia in the developmental programming of the kidney
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a digital Scanscope system for virtual microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    In Situ Hybridization Suite for Biomedical Science Researchers
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    How do prenatal perturbations influence kidney development and result in adult onset diseases
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009
    "Real Time PCR Facility for Biomedical Researchers"
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Does moderate prenatal alcohol exposure cause metabolic disease
    Diabetes Australia Research Trust
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Poor kidney development resulting in kidney disease and high blood pressure
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Quantitative Histological Core Facility
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Karen Moritz is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Biomarkers of acute kidney injury in infants

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advancing facial dysmorphology diagnostic practices for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lisa Akison, Dr Natasha Reid

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Delphi Study of Pregnancy Alcohol Risk Perceptions: Application for Health Educational Resources

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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