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)

281 - 300 of 365 works

2008

Conference Publication

Reduced basal renal function and altered response to angiotensin II in male lambs following fetal uninepbrectomy

Singh, R. R., Moritz, K. M., Bertram, J. F., Wintour, M. and Denton, K. M. (2008). Reduced basal renal function and altered response to angiotensin II in male lambs following fetal uninepbrectomy. 18th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension/22nd Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension, Berlin, Germany, 14th - 19th June, 2008. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Reduced basal renal function and altered response to angiotensin II in male lambs following fetal uninepbrectomy

2008

Book

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

Moritz, K M, Wintour-Coghlan, Jane Black, M, Bertram, J F and Caruana, G (2008). Factors influencing mammalian kidney development: implications for health in adult life. Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-77768-7

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

2008

Conference Publication

Development of hypertension in ovine female offspring following fetal unilateral nephrectomy

Moritz, K., Denton, K., Jefferies, A., Wintour, M., Bertram, J. and Singh, R. (2008). Development of hypertension in ovine female offspring following fetal unilateral nephrectomy. x, x, x. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Development of hypertension in ovine female offspring following fetal unilateral nephrectomy

2008

Conference Publication

Being born small impairs and extends nephrogenesis which can be altered by improving postnatal nutrition

Wlodek, M. E., Qianyu, J. Z., Siebel, A. L. and Moritz, K. M. (2008). Being born small impairs and extends nephrogenesis which can be altered by improving postnatal nutrition. x, x, x. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Being born small impairs and extends nephrogenesis which can be altered by improving postnatal nutrition

2008

Conference Publication

Programming of a nephron deficit, glomerular hypertrophy and renal dysfunction following uteroplacental insufficiency and the role of postnatal nutrition

Wlodek, M. E., Mazzuca, M. Q., Siebel, A. L., Mibus, A. L., Arena, D., Tare, M., Owens, J. A. and Moritz, K. M. (2008). Programming of a nephron deficit, glomerular hypertrophy and renal dysfunction following uteroplacental insufficiency and the role of postnatal nutrition. 18th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension/22nd Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension, Berlin, Germany, 14th - 19th June, 2008. London: Lippencott, Williams & Wilkins.

Programming of a nephron deficit, glomerular hypertrophy and renal dysfunction following uteroplacental insufficiency and the role of postnatal nutrition

2008

Conference Publication

Moderate renal insufficiency due to fetal unilateral nephrectomy results in impaired cardiac function in male but not female sheep

Moritz, K., Denton, K. and Singh, R. (2008). Moderate renal insufficiency due to fetal unilateral nephrectomy results in impaired cardiac function in male but not female sheep. X, x, x. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Moderate renal insufficiency due to fetal unilateral nephrectomy results in impaired cardiac function in male but not female sheep

2008

Journal Article

Growth restriction before or after birth reduces nephron number and increases blood pressure in male rats

Wlodek, M. E., Westcott, K., Siebel, A. L., Owens, J. A. and Moritz, K. M. (2008). Growth restriction before or after birth reduces nephron number and increases blood pressure in male rats. Kidney International, 74 (2), 187-195. doi: 10.1038/ki.2008.153

Growth restriction before or after birth reduces nephron number and increases blood pressure in male rats

2008

Conference Publication

Long term effects of fetal uninephrectomy in male sheep

Singh, R., Bertram, J., Denton, K. and Moritz, K. (2008). Long term effects of fetal uninephrectomy in male sheep. x, x, x. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Long term effects of fetal uninephrectomy in male sheep

2008

Conference Publication

Molecular mechanisms leading to a reduced nephron endowment following prenatal glucocorticoid exposure in the mouse

Moritz, K., Dickinson, H., Grimmond, S., Gardiner, B., Boon, W-M, Bertram, J., Cullen-Mcewen, L., Cuffe, J., Slattery, C., Poronnik, P. and Caruana, G. (2008). Molecular mechanisms leading to a reduced nephron endowment following prenatal glucocorticoid exposure in the mouse. 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Newcastle, Australia, 6-10 September 2008. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell .

Molecular mechanisms leading to a reduced nephron endowment following prenatal glucocorticoid exposure in the mouse

2008

Conference Publication

Fetal and postnatal kidney 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in offspring from hypertensive rabbit mothers

McCardle, A., Maduwegedera, D., Flower, R., Moritz, K. and Denton, K. M. (2008). Fetal and postnatal kidney 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in offspring from hypertensive rabbit mothers. x, x, x. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Fetal and postnatal kidney 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in offspring from hypertensive rabbit mothers

2007

Journal Article

Nephrogenesis and the renal renin-angiotensin system in fetal sheep: effects of intrauterine growth restriction during late gestation

Zohdi, V, Moritz, KM, Bubb, KJ, Cock, ML, Wreford, N, Harding, R and Black, MJ (2007). Nephrogenesis and the renal renin-angiotensin system in fetal sheep: effects of intrauterine growth restriction during late gestation. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 293 (3), 1267-1273. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00119.2007

Nephrogenesis and the renal renin-angiotensin system in fetal sheep: effects of intrauterine growth restriction during late gestation

2007

Conference Publication

Differential programming of blood pressure by early prenatal exposure to dexamethasone or cortisol

Moritz, K. M., Evans, R. G., Jefferies, A. J., Dodic, M. and Wintour, E. M. (2007). Differential programming of blood pressure by early prenatal exposure to dexamethasone or cortisol. 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health & Disease, Perth, Western Australia, 6-10 November, 2007. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland. doi: 10.1016/S0378-3782(07)70206-2

Differential programming of blood pressure by early prenatal exposure to dexamethasone or cortisol

2007

Journal Article

Maternal exposure to dexamethasone or cortisol in early pregnancy differentially alters insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in adult male sheep offspring.

De Blasio, MJ, Dodic, M, Jefferies, AJ, Moritz, KM, Wintour, EM and Owens, JA (2007). Maternal exposure to dexamethasone or cortisol in early pregnancy differentially alters insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in adult male sheep offspring.. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism, 293 (1), E75-E82. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00689.2006

Maternal exposure to dexamethasone or cortisol in early pregnancy differentially alters insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in adult male sheep offspring.

2007

Conference Publication

Kidney renin-angiotenisn system and 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in offspring from chronically hypertensive mothers at 5 weeks of age in rabbits

McArdle, A. M., Maduwegedera, D., Mortiz, K., Flower, R. L., Wintour, E. M. and Denton, K. M. (2007). Kidney renin-angiotenisn system and 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in offspring from chronically hypertensive mothers at 5 weeks of age in rabbits. 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health & Disease, Perth, Western Australia, 6-10 November, 2007. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland. doi: 10.1016/S0378-3782(07)70255-4

Kidney renin-angiotenisn system and 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in offspring from chronically hypertensive mothers at 5 weeks of age in rabbits

2007

Journal Article

Combined prenatal and postnatal protein restriction influences adult kidney structure, function, and arterial pressure.

Hoppe, CC, Evans, RG, Moritz, KM, Cullen-McEwen, LA, Fitzgerald, SM, Dowling, J and Bertram, JF (2007). Combined prenatal and postnatal protein restriction influences adult kidney structure, function, and arterial pressure.. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 292 (1), R462-R469. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00079.2006

Combined prenatal and postnatal protein restriction influences adult kidney structure, function, and arterial pressure.

2007

Journal Article

Effects of dexamethasone exposure on rat metanephric development: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Singh, RR, Moritz, KM, Bertram, JF and Cullen-McEwen, LA (2007). Effects of dexamethasone exposure on rat metanephric development: in vitro and in vivo studies.. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, 293 (2), 548-554. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00156.2007

Effects of dexamethasone exposure on rat metanephric development: in vitro and in vivo studies.

2007

Conference Publication

Blood pressure and renal function in adult sheep treated prenatally with glucocorticoids: effects of a high salt diet

Moritz, K. M., Evans, R. G., Jefferies, A. J., Wintour, E. M., Dodic, M., Probyn, M., Arena, D. and De Matteo, R. (2007). Blood pressure and renal function in adult sheep treated prenatally with glucocorticoids: effects of a high salt diet. 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health & Disease, Perth, Western Australia, 6-10 November, 2007. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland. doi: 10.1016/S0378-3782(07)70257-8

Blood pressure and renal function in adult sheep treated prenatally with glucocorticoids: effects of a high salt diet

2007

Journal Article

Effects of dietary protein restriction on nephron number in the mouse.

Hoppe, CC, Evans, RG, Bertram, JF and Moritz, KM (2007). Effects of dietary protein restriction on nephron number in the mouse.. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 292 (5), R1768-R1774. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00442.2006

Effects of dietary protein restriction on nephron number in the mouse.

2007

Conference Publication

The effect of chronic hypertension on placental renin-angiotenisn system and 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expressions during mid and late-gestation in rabbits

McArdle, A. M., Mortiz, K., Maduwegedera, D., Roberts, C. T., Flower, R. L., Wintour, E. M. and Denton, K. M. (2007). The effect of chronic hypertension on placental renin-angiotenisn system and 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expressions during mid and late-gestation in rabbits. 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health & Disease, Perth, Western Australia, 6-10 November, 2007. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland. doi: 10.1016/S0378-3782(07)70392-4

The effect of chronic hypertension on placental renin-angiotenisn system and 11 beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 2 gene expressions during mid and late-gestation in rabbits

2007

Journal Article

A comparative study of renal function in the desert-adapted spiny mouse and the laboratory-adapted C57BL/6 mouse: response to dietary salt load.

Dickinson, H, Moritz, K, Wintour, EM, Walker, DW and Kett, MM (2007). A comparative study of renal function in the desert-adapted spiny mouse and the laboratory-adapted C57BL/6 mouse: response to dietary salt load.. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 293 (4), F1093-F1098. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00202.2007

A comparative study of renal function in the desert-adapted spiny mouse and the laboratory-adapted C57BL/6 mouse: response to dietary salt load.

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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