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)

241 - 260 of 365 works

2011

Journal Article

A design-based method for estimating glomerular number in the developing kidney

Cullen-McEwen, Luise A., Armitage, James A., Nyengaard, Jens R., Moritz, Karen M. and Bertram, John F. (2011). A design-based method for estimating glomerular number in the developing kidney. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 300 (6), F1448-F1453. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00055.2011

A design-based method for estimating glomerular number in the developing kidney

2011

Conference Publication

Renal dysfunction is associated with educed nitric oxide production in sheep following fetal uni-nephrectomy

Lankadeva, Yugeesh R., Singh, Reetu R., Jefferies, Andrew J., Denton, Kate M and Moritz, Karen M. (2011). Renal dysfunction is associated with educed nitric oxide production in sheep following fetal uni-nephrectomy. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S2040174411000481

Renal dysfunction is associated with educed nitric oxide production in sheep following fetal uni-nephrectomy

2011

Conference Publication

Differential renal responses to furosemide in sheep following fetal uni-nephrectomy

Lankadeva, Yugeesh R., Singh, Reetu R., Jefferies, Andrew J., Moritz, Karen M. and Denton, Kate M. (2011). Differential renal responses to furosemide in sheep following fetal uni-nephrectomy. Scientific Sessions of High Blood Pressure Research, Orlando, Fl, United States, 20-24 September 2011. Philadelphia PA, United States: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0b013e318234a201

Differential renal responses to furosemide in sheep following fetal uni-nephrectomy

2011

Conference Publication

Chronic Low Dose Ethanol Exposure Alters Glucose Homeostasis

Moritz, Karen M., Heshusius, Caitlyn, Quinn, Kylie, Garbedjer, Emelie, Tep, Karrona, Anderson, Stephen, Wlodek, Mary E. and Probyn, Megan E. (2011). Chronic Low Dose Ethanol Exposure Alters Glucose Homeostasis. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S204017441100047X

Chronic Low Dose Ethanol Exposure Alters Glucose Homeostasis

2011

Conference Publication

Intergenerational transmission of growth restriction, nephron deficits and hypertension in rats

Gallo, Linda A., Moritz, Karen M., Tran, Melanie, Mazzuca, Marc Q., Cullen-McEwen, Luisa A., Denton, Kate M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2011). Intergenerational transmission of growth restriction, nephron deficits and hypertension in rats. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S2040174411000481

Intergenerational transmission of growth restriction, nephron deficits and hypertension in rats

2011

Conference Publication

Uteroplacental insufficiency extends the period of nephrogenesis through the GDNF/cRet pathway

Moritz, Karen M., Rosser, Shannyn and Wlodek, Mary E. (2011). Uteroplacental insufficiency extends the period of nephrogenesis through the GDNF/cRet pathway. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, OR United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Uteroplacental insufficiency extends the period of nephrogenesis through the GDNF/cRet pathway

2011

Conference Publication

Long-term alterations in maternal blood pressure and renal function after pregnancy in normal and growth restricted rats

Gallo, Linda A., Denton, Kate M., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2011). Long-term alterations in maternal blood pressure and renal function after pregnancy in normal and growth restricted rats. Scientific Sessions of High Blood Pressure Research, Orlando Fl, 20-24 September 2011. Philadelphia PA, United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0b013e318234a201

Long-term alterations in maternal blood pressure and renal function after pregnancy in normal and growth restricted rats

2011

Conference Publication

Intergenerational transmission of fetal growth restriction and pancreatic deficits to the next generation

Tran, Melanie, Gallo, Linda A., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2011). Intergenerational transmission of fetal growth restriction and pancreatic deficits to the next generation. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S204017441100047X

Intergenerational transmission of fetal growth restriction and pancreatic deficits to the next generation

2011

Conference Publication

Hypoxic conditions during kidney development disrupt nephron formation

Wilkinson, L. J., Chiu, H., Ju, A., Rumballe, B., Georgas, K., Moritz, K. M. and Little, M. H. (2011). Hypoxic conditions during kidney development disrupt nephron formation. ANZSN 2011: 47th Annual Scientific Meeting Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 17-21 September 2011. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2011.01491.x

Hypoxic conditions during kidney development disrupt nephron formation

2011

Conference Publication

The Placental Response to Excess Maternal Glucocorticoid Exposure Differs Between the Male and Female Conceptus

Dickinson, Hayley, O'Connell, Bree, Moritz, Karen, Roberts, Claire and Walker, David (2011). The Placental Response to Excess Maternal Glucocorticoid Exposure Differs Between the Male and Female Conceptus. Meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA), Geilo, Norway, 14-17 September 2011.

The Placental Response to Excess Maternal Glucocorticoid Exposure Differs Between the Male and Female Conceptus

2011

Conference Publication

Chronic low dose alcohol consumption during pregnancy leads to a down-regulation of IGF1 in the hearts of rat offspring

Nguyen, Vivian B., Zimanyi, Monika, Moritz, Karen M., Probyn, Megan E., Bertram, John F. and Black, Mary J. (2011). Chronic low dose alcohol consumption during pregnancy leads to a down-regulation of IGF1 in the hearts of rat offspring. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S2040174411000481

Chronic low dose alcohol consumption during pregnancy leads to a down-regulation of IGF1 in the hearts of rat offspring

2011

Conference Publication

Effect of uteroplacental insufficiency on maternal later life metabolic disease risk

Tran, Melanie, Jefferies, Andrew J., Gallo, Linda A., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2011). Effect of uteroplacental insufficiency on maternal later life metabolic disease risk. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S2040174411000481

Effect of uteroplacental insufficiency on maternal later life metabolic disease risk

2011

Conference Publication

Glucocorticoid specific changes in fetal heart growth and alterations in FGF-2 following prenatal exposure in the mouse

O'Sullivan, Lee, Cuffe, James S. M., Campbell, Sally and Moritz, Karen M. (2011). Glucocorticoid specific changes in fetal heart growth and alterations in FGF-2 following prenatal exposure in the mouse. 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Portland, Oregon, United States, 18–21 September 2011. Cambridge, England, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S204017441100047X

Glucocorticoid specific changes in fetal heart growth and alterations in FGF-2 following prenatal exposure in the mouse

2010

Journal Article

Prenatal exposure to alcohol reduces nephron number and raises blood pressure in progeny

Gray, Stephen P., Denton, Kate M., Cullen-McEwen, Luise, Bertram, John F. and Moritz, Karen M. (2010). Prenatal exposure to alcohol reduces nephron number and raises blood pressure in progeny. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 21 (11), 1891-1902. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2010040368

Prenatal exposure to alcohol reduces nephron number and raises blood pressure in progeny

2010

Journal Article

Reduced nephron endowment due to fetal uninephrectomy impairs renal sodium handling in male sheep

Singh, Reetu R., Denton, Kate M., Bertram, John F., Jefferies, Andrew J. and Moritz, Karen M. (2010). Reduced nephron endowment due to fetal uninephrectomy impairs renal sodium handling in male sheep. Clinical Science, 118 (11), 669-680. doi: 10.1042/CS20090479

Reduced nephron endowment due to fetal uninephrectomy impairs renal sodium handling in male sheep

2010

Journal Article

Chronic maternal hypertension affects placental gene expression and differentiation in rabbits

McArdle, Adelle M., Maduwegedera, Devaki, Moritz, Karen, Flower, Rebecca L., Denton, Kate M. and Roberts, Claire T. (2010). Chronic maternal hypertension affects placental gene expression and differentiation in rabbits. Journal of Hypertension, 28 (5), 959-968. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e3283369f1e

Chronic maternal hypertension affects placental gene expression and differentiation in rabbits

2010

Journal Article

Review: Sex specific programming: A critical role for the renal renin-angiotensin system

Moritz, K. M., Cuffe, J. S M, Wilson, L. B., Dickinson, H., Wlodek, M. E., Simmons, D. G. and Denton, K. M. (2010). Review: Sex specific programming: A critical role for the renal renin-angiotensin system. Placenta, 31 (SUPPL.). doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.01.006

Review: Sex specific programming: A critical role for the renal renin-angiotensin system

2010

Conference Publication

MODERATE PRENATAL ETHANOL EXPOSURE IMPAIRS THE PRESSOR RESPONSIVENESS TO STRESS

Denton, KM, Tjongue, M, Probyn, ME, Bertram, JF, Tare, M and Moritz, KM (2010). MODERATE PRENATAL ETHANOL EXPOSURE IMPAIRS THE PRESSOR RESPONSIVENESS TO STRESS. 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of the High-Blood-Pressure-Research-Council-of-Australia, Sydney AUSTRALIA, DEC 01-03, 2009.

MODERATE PRENATAL ETHANOL EXPOSURE IMPAIRS THE PRESSOR RESPONSIVENESS TO STRESS

2010

Conference Publication

Being born small programs impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy

Wlodek, Mary E., Tran, Melanie, Westcott, Kerryn T., Jefferies, Andrew, Gallo, Linda A. and Moritz, Karen M. (2010). Being born small programs impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy. 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Orlando, FL, U.S.A., 24-27 March 2010. Thousand Oaks, CA, U.S.A.: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/193371912010173s067

Being born small programs impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy

2010

Conference Publication

Does low dose prenatal ethanol exposure alter body composition in adult offspring?

Ward, L.C., Moritz, K. and Probyn, M. (2010). Does low dose prenatal ethanol exposure alter body composition in adult offspring?. Nutrition Society of Australia thirty-fourth Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, Australia, 30 November - 3 December 2010. Australia: Australasian Medical Journal Pty. Ltd..

Does low dose prenatal ethanol exposure alter body composition in adult offspring?

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

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advancing facial dysmorphology diagnostic practices for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lisa Akison, Dr Natasha Reid

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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