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

365 works between 1990 and 2025
All (365) Journal Article (254) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (99) Book (1) Other Outputs (6)

201 - 220 of 365 works

2013

Journal Article

Transgenerational metabolic outcomes associated with uteroplacental insufficiency

Tran, Melanie, Gallo, Linda A., Jefferies, Andrew J., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2013). Transgenerational metabolic outcomes associated with uteroplacental insufficiency. Journal of Endocrinology, 217 (1), 105-118. doi: 10.1530/JOE-12-0560

Transgenerational metabolic outcomes associated with uteroplacental insufficiency

2013

Journal Article

Impact of low dose prenatal ethanol exposure on glucose homeostasis in Sprague-Dawley rats aged up to eight months

Probyn, Megan E., Parsonson, Kylie R., Gardebjer, Emelie M., Ward, Leigh C., Wlodek, Mary E., Anderson, Stephen T. and Moritz, Karen M. (2013). Impact of low dose prenatal ethanol exposure on glucose homeostasis in Sprague-Dawley rats aged up to eight months. PLoS One, 8 (3) e59718, e59718.1-e59718.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059718

Impact of low dose prenatal ethanol exposure on glucose homeostasis in Sprague-Dawley rats aged up to eight months

2013

Journal Article

Sexually dimorphic placental development throughout gestation in the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus)

O'Connell, B. A., Moritz, K. M., Walker, D. W. and Dickinson, H. (2013). Sexually dimorphic placental development throughout gestation in the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus). Placenta, 34 (2), 119-126. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.11.009

Sexually dimorphic placental development throughout gestation in the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus)

2013

Conference Publication

Maternal Hypomagnesaemia Causes Foetal Growth Restriction But Does Not Alter Renal Morphology or Mangesium Channel Expression in Offspring

Schlegel, R., Ke, T., Paravicini, T. and Moritz, K. (2013). Maternal Hypomagnesaemia Causes Foetal Growth Restriction But Does Not Alter Renal Morphology or Mangesium Channel Expression in Offspring. 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-11 September 2013. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12121

Maternal Hypomagnesaemia Causes Foetal Growth Restriction But Does Not Alter Renal Morphology or Mangesium Channel Expression in Offspring

2013

Conference Publication

Periconceptional ethanol exposure in the rat alters kidney development with functional changes in adult male offspring

Dorey, E., Kalisch-Smith, J., Gardebjer, E., Wlodek, M. and Moritz, K. (2013). Periconceptional ethanol exposure in the rat alters kidney development with functional changes in adult male offspring. 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-11 September 2013. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12121

Periconceptional ethanol exposure in the rat alters kidney development with functional changes in adult male offspring

2013

Conference Publication

Influence of Maternal Stress during Pregnancy in Females Born Small on F2 Male Metabolic and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Wlodek, Mary E., Cheong, Jean, Hanvey, Alanna, Tran, Melanie, Jefferies, Andrew J. and Moritz, Karen M. (2013). Influence of Maternal Stress during Pregnancy in Females Born Small on F2 Male Metabolic and Cardiovascular Outcomes.. 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI), Orlando Fl, 20-23 March 2013. Thousand Oaks, CA United States: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1933719113482088

Influence of Maternal Stress during Pregnancy in Females Born Small on F2 Male Metabolic and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

2013

Journal Article

Synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits branching morphogenesis in the Spiny Mouse Placenta

O'Connell, Bree A., Moritz, Karen M., Walker, David W. and Dickinson, Hayley (2013). Synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits branching morphogenesis in the Spiny Mouse Placenta. Biology of Reproduction, 88 (1) 26, 26.1-26.8. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.100644

Synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits branching morphogenesis in the Spiny Mouse Placenta

2013

Journal Article

Treatment of pregnant spiny mice at mid gestation with a synthetic glucocorticoid has sex-dependent effects on placental glycogen stores

O'Connell, B. A., Moritz, K. M., Walker, D. W. and Dickinson, H. (2013). Treatment of pregnant spiny mice at mid gestation with a synthetic glucocorticoid has sex-dependent effects on placental glycogen stores. Placenta, 34 (10), 932-940. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.06.310

Treatment of pregnant spiny mice at mid gestation with a synthetic glucocorticoid has sex-dependent effects on placental glycogen stores

2013

Conference Publication

Reduced Nephron Number But Hypotension in Male Mouse Offspring Following Prenatal Corticosterone Exposure

Singh, R., Koning, A., O'Sullivan, L., Cuffe, J., Paravicini, T. and Moritz, K. (2013). Reduced Nephron Number But Hypotension in Male Mouse Offspring Following Prenatal Corticosterone Exposure. 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-11 September 2013. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12121

Reduced Nephron Number But Hypotension in Male Mouse Offspring Following Prenatal Corticosterone Exposure

2013

Conference Publication

Intrauterine Hypoxia Impairs Kidney Development Via Disruption to B-Catenin Activity

Wilkinson, L., Neal, C., Ju, A., Singh, R., Rumballe, B., Li, J., Moritz, K. and Little, M. (2013). Intrauterine Hypoxia Impairs Kidney Development Via Disruption to B-Catenin Activity. 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-11 September 2013. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12121

Intrauterine Hypoxia Impairs Kidney Development Via Disruption to B-Catenin Activity

2013

Conference Publication

Low Maternal Birth Weight Is Associated with Transmission of Cardio-Renal and Metabolic Deficits and Dysfunction.

Wlodek, Mary E., Tran, Melanie, Gallo, Linda A., Hanvey, Alanna, Cullen-McEwen, Luise A., Westcott, Kerryn T., Jefferies, Andrew J. and Moritz, Karen M. (2013). Low Maternal Birth Weight Is Associated with Transmission of Cardio-Renal and Metabolic Deficits and Dysfunction.. 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI), Orlando Fl, 20-23 March 2013. Thousand Oaks, CA United States: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1933719113482088

Low Maternal Birth Weight Is Associated with Transmission of Cardio-Renal and Metabolic Deficits and Dysfunction.

2013

Conference Publication

Prenatal alcohol exposure and developmental programming of the kidney

Moritz, K. M. (2013). Prenatal alcohol exposure and developmental programming of the kidney. 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Research-Society-on-Alcoholism, Orlando, FL, United States, 22-26 June 2013. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/acer.12163

Prenatal alcohol exposure and developmental programming of the kidney

2013

Journal Article

A comparative study of renal function in male and female spiny mice - sex specific responses to a high salt challenge

Dickinson, Hayley, Moritz, Karen M. and Kett, Michelle M. (2013). A comparative study of renal function in male and female spiny mice - sex specific responses to a high salt challenge. Biology of Sex Differences, 4 (1) 21, 21.1-21.8. doi: 10.1186/2042-6410-4-21

A comparative study of renal function in male and female spiny mice - sex specific responses to a high salt challenge

2013

Journal Article

Low Dose Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviour and Alters Dendritic Morphology in the Basolateral Amygdala of Rat Offspring

Cullen, Carlie L., Burne, Thomas H. J., Lavidis, Nickolas A. and Moritz, Karen M. (2013). Low Dose Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviour and Alters Dendritic Morphology in the Basolateral Amygdala of Rat Offspring. PLoS One, 8 (1) e54924, e54924. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054924

Low Dose Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviour and Alters Dendritic Morphology in the Basolateral Amygdala of Rat Offspring

2013

Conference Publication

Chronic mid-late gestational hypoxia alters renal structure and function in adult male mouse offspring

Walton, S., Singh, R., Wilkinson, L., Little, M. and Moritz, K. (2013). Chronic mid-late gestational hypoxia alters renal structure and function in adult male mouse offspring. 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-11 September 2013. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12121

Chronic mid-late gestational hypoxia alters renal structure and function in adult male mouse offspring

2012

Journal Article

Short and long term effects of exposure to natural and synthetic glucocorticoids during development

Singh, Reetu R., Cuffe, James S.M and Moritz, Karen M. (2012). Short and long term effects of exposure to natural and synthetic glucocorticoids during development. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 39 (11), 979-989. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12009

Short and long term effects of exposure to natural and synthetic glucocorticoids during development

2012

Journal Article

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse has sex-specific effects on placental growth and mRNA expression

Cuffe, J. S. M., O'Sullivan, L., Simmons, D. S., Anderson, S. T. and Moritz, K. M. (2012). Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse has sex-specific effects on placental growth and mRNA expression. Endocrinology, 153 (11), 5500-5511. doi: 10.1210/en.2012-1479

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse has sex-specific effects on placental growth and mRNA expression

2012

Journal Article

Pregnancy in aged rats that were born small: cardiorenal and metabolic adaptations and second-generation fetal growth

Gallo, Linda A., Tran, Melanie, Moritz, Karen M., Jefferies, Andrew J. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). Pregnancy in aged rats that were born small: cardiorenal and metabolic adaptations and second-generation fetal growth. Faseb Journal, 26 (10), 4337-4347. doi: 10.1096/fj.12-210401

Pregnancy in aged rats that were born small: cardiorenal and metabolic adaptations and second-generation fetal growth

2012

Journal Article

Blunted sodium excretion in response to a saline load in 5 year old female sheep following fetal uninephrectomy

Lankadeva, Yugeesh R., Singh, Reetu R., Hilliard, Lucinda M., Moritz, Karen M. and Denton, Kate M. (2012). Blunted sodium excretion in response to a saline load in 5 year old female sheep following fetal uninephrectomy. Plos One, 7 (10) e47528, 47528-1-47528-10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047528

Blunted sodium excretion in response to a saline load in 5 year old female sheep following fetal uninephrectomy

2012

Journal Article

247 MECHANISMS PROGRAMMING TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF NEPHRON DEFICITS IN F2 MALE RATS FROM MOTHERS BORN SMALL

Hanvey, Alanna N., Gallo, Linda A., Cullen-McEwen, Luise A., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2012). 247 MECHANISMS PROGRAMMING TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF NEPHRON DEFICITS IN F2 MALE RATS FROM MOTHERS BORN SMALL. Journal of Hypertension, 30 (&NA;). doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000420140.25271.9b

247 MECHANISMS PROGRAMMING TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF NEPHRON DEFICITS IN F2 MALE RATS FROM MOTHERS BORN SMALL

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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