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)

261 - 280 of 365 works

2010

Conference Publication

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

Moritz, K.M., Cuffe, J. S., 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. Annual Meeting of the International Federationof Placenta Associations, Adelaide, South Australia, 6-9 October, 2009. London, England: W.B. Saunders. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.01.006

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

2010

Conference Publication

Excess maternal glucocorticoids during mid-gestation: Sexually dimorphic consequences for many organ systems

Dickinson, Hayley, O'Connell, Bree, Quinn, Tracey, Bernard, Leah, O'Tierney, Perrie, Louey, Samantha, Thornburg, Kent, Moritz, Karen M. and Walker, David (2010). Excess maternal glucocorticoids during mid-gestation: Sexually dimorphic consequences for many organ systems. Aspen Perinatal Biology Conference 2010, Aspen, CO, United States, 28-31 August 2010. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181eed331

Excess maternal glucocorticoids during mid-gestation: Sexually dimorphic consequences for many organ systems

2009

Journal Article

Haemodynamic characteristics of hypertension induced by prenatal cortisol exposure in sheep

Moritz, Karen M., Dodic, Miodrag, Jefferies, Andrew J., Wintour, E. Marelyn, DeMatteo, Robert, Singh, Reetu R. and Evans, Roger G. (2009). Haemodynamic characteristics of hypertension induced by prenatal cortisol exposure in sheep. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 36 (10), 981-987. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2009.05180.x

Haemodynamic characteristics of hypertension induced by prenatal cortisol exposure in sheep

2009

Journal Article

Ontogeny of placental structural development and expression of the renin-angiotensin system and 11 beta-HSD2 genes in the rabbit

McArdle, A. M., Denton, K. M., Maduwegedera, D., Moritz, K., Flower, R. L. and Roberts, C. T. (2009). Ontogeny of placental structural development and expression of the renin-angiotensin system and 11 beta-HSD2 genes in the rabbit. Placenta, 30 (7), 590-598. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2009.04.006

Ontogeny of placental structural development and expression of the renin-angiotensin system and 11 beta-HSD2 genes in the rabbit

2009

Journal Article

Uteroplacental insufficiency causes a nephron deficit, modest renal insufficiency but no hypertension with ageing in female rats

Moritz, K. M., Mazzuca, M. Q., Siebel, A. L., Mibus, A., Arena, D., Tare, M., Owens, J. A. and Wlodek, M. E. (2009). Uteroplacental insufficiency causes a nephron deficit, modest renal insufficiency but no hypertension with ageing in female rats. Journal of Physiology, 587 (11), 2635-2646. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.170407

Uteroplacental insufficiency causes a nephron deficit, modest renal insufficiency but no hypertension with ageing in female rats

2009

Journal Article

Development of cardiovascular disease due to renal insufficiency in male sheep following fetal unilateral nephrectomy

Singh, Reetu R., Denton, Kate M., Bertram, John F., Jefferies, Andrew J., Head, Geoffrey A., Lombardo, Paul, Schneider-Kolsky, Michal and Moritz, Karen M. (2009). Development of cardiovascular disease due to renal insufficiency in male sheep following fetal unilateral nephrectomy. Journal of Hypertension, 27 (2), 386-396. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e32831bc778

Development of cardiovascular disease due to renal insufficiency in male sheep following fetal unilateral nephrectomy

2009

Conference Publication

Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure increases apoptosis in the developing kidney

Moritz, K. M., Tep, K., Gobe, G., Probyn, M. E. and Bertram, J. F. (2009). Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure increases apoptosis in the developing kidney. 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7–9 September 2009. Carlton, Vic.: Blackwell Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2009.01176.x

Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure increases apoptosis in the developing kidney

2009

Conference Publication

Altered renal gene expression of sodium channels and transporters following fetal uninephretomy in male sheep

Singh, R., Bertram, J., Jefferies, A., Denton, K. and Moritz, K. (2009). Altered renal gene expression of sodium channels and transporters following fetal uninephretomy in male sheep. 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7–9 September 2009. Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2009.01176.x

Altered renal gene expression of sodium channels and transporters following fetal uninephretomy in male sheep

2009

Journal Article

Developmental programming of a reduced nephron endowment: More than just a baby's birth-weight

Moritz, Karen M., Singh, Reetu R., Probyn, Megan E. and Denton, Kate M. (2009). Developmental programming of a reduced nephron endowment: More than just a baby's birth-weight. American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology, 296 (1), F1-F9. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00049.2008

Developmental programming of a reduced nephron endowment: More than just a baby's birth-weight

2009

Conference Publication

Maternal glucocorticoid exposure induces sex specific changes in gene expression across generations

Cuffe, J. S. M., Dickinson, H., Boon, W. M. and Moritz, K. M (2009). Maternal glucocorticoid exposure induces sex specific changes in gene expression across generations. 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 7–9 September 2009. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2009.01176.x

Maternal glucocorticoid exposure induces sex specific changes in gene expression across generations

2009

Conference Publication

Consequences of a life-long protein restriction coupled with a high salt intake for cardiovascular and renal disease

Denton, K. M., Moritz, K. M., Evans, R. G., Arena and Bertram, J. F. (2009). Consequences of a life-long protein restriction coupled with a high salt intake for cardiovascular and renal disease. 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7-9 September 2009. Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2009.01176.x

Consequences of a life-long protein restriction coupled with a high salt intake for cardiovascular and renal disease

2009

Journal Article

Transient hypertension and sustained tachycardia in mice housed individually in metabolism cages

Hoppe, C. C., Moritz, K. M., Fitzgerald, S. M., Bertram, J. F. and Evans, R. G. (2009). Transient hypertension and sustained tachycardia in mice housed individually in metabolism cages. Physiological Research, 58 (1), 69-75. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.931390

Transient hypertension and sustained tachycardia in mice housed individually in metabolism cages

2009

Journal Article

The Influence of Naturally Occurring Differences in Birthweight on Ventricular Cardiomyocyte Number in Sheep

Stacy, Victoria, De Matteo, Robert, Brew, Nadine, Sozo, Foula, Probyn, Megan E., Harding, Richard and Bilack, M. Jane (2009). The Influence of Naturally Occurring Differences in Birthweight on Ventricular Cardiomyocyte Number in Sheep. Anatomical Record-Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 292 (1), 29-37. doi: 10.1002/ar.20789

The Influence of Naturally Occurring Differences in Birthweight on Ventricular Cardiomyocyte Number in Sheep

2009

Conference Publication

Retinoic acid ameliorates the effects of ethanol exposure on urteric branching morphogenesis in cultured rat metaneproi

Gray, S. P., Cullen-Mcewen, L. A., Moritz, K. M. and Bertram, J. F. (2009). Retinoic acid ameliorates the effects of ethanol exposure on urteric branching morphogenesis in cultured rat metaneproi. 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7–9 September 2009. Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2009.01176.x

Retinoic acid ameliorates the effects of ethanol exposure on urteric branching morphogenesis in cultured rat metaneproi

2008

Journal Article

Can the Study of Female Rats Help Our Understanding of Women? Response

Sampson, Amanda K., Moritz, Karen M., Jones, Emma S., Widdop, Robert E. and Denton, Kate M. (2008). Can the Study of Female Rats Help Our Understanding of Women? Response. Hypertension, 52 (6), E143-E143. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.108.122457

Can the Study of Female Rats Help Our Understanding of Women? Response

2008

Journal Article

Factors influencing mammalian kidney development: implications for health in adult life

Moritz, K. M., Wintour, E. M., Black, M. J., Bertram, J. F. and Caruana, G. (2008). Factors influencing mammalian kidney development: implications for health in adult life. Advances in Anatomy Embryology and Cell Biology, 196, 1-78.

Factors influencing mammalian kidney development: implications for health in adult life

2008

Journal Article

Repeated ethanol exposure during late gestation decreases nephron endowment in fetal sheep

Gray, Stephen P., Kenna, Kelly, Bertram, John F., Hoy, Wendy E., Yan, Edwin B., Bocking, Alan D., Brien, James F., Walker, David W., Harding, Richard and Moritz, Karen M. (2008). Repeated ethanol exposure during late gestation decreases nephron endowment in fetal sheep. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 295 (2), R568-R574. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.90316.2008

Repeated ethanol exposure during late gestation decreases nephron endowment in fetal sheep

2008

Journal Article

Future directions

Moritz, Karen M., Wintour-Coghlan, Marelyn, Black, M. Jane, Bertram, John F. and Caruana, Georgina (2008). Future directions. Advances in Anatomy Embryology and Cell Biology, 196, 54-78. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-77768-7_9

Future directions

2008

Journal Article

Introduction

Moritz, Karen M., Wintour-Coghlan, Marelyn, Black, M. Jane, Bertram, John F. and Caruana, Georgina (2008). Introduction. Advances in Anatomy Embryology and Cell Biology, 196, 1-1. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-77768-7_1

Introduction

2008

Journal Article

Enhanced angiotensin II type 2 receptor mechanisms mediate decreases in arterial pressure attributable to chronic low-dose angiotensin II in female rats

Sampson, A. K., Moritz, K. M., Jones, E. S., Flower, R. L., Widdop, R. E. and Denton, K. M. (2008). Enhanced angiotensin II type 2 receptor mechanisms mediate decreases in arterial pressure attributable to chronic low-dose angiotensin II in female rats. Hypertension, 52 (4), 666-671. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.108.114058

Enhanced angiotensin II type 2 receptor mechanisms mediate decreases in arterial pressure attributable to chronic low-dose angiotensin II in female rats

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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