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

360 works between 1990 and 2025
All (360) Journal Article (253) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (99) Book (1) Other Outputs (2)

161 - 180 of 360 works

2015

Journal Article

Differential mRNA expression and glucocorticoid-mediated regulation of TRPM6 and TRPM7 in the heart and kidney throughout murine pregnancy and development

Cuffe, James S. M., Steane, Sarah, Moritz, Karen M. and Paravicini, Tamara M. (2015). Differential mRNA expression and glucocorticoid-mediated regulation of TRPM6 and TRPM7 in the heart and kidney throughout murine pregnancy and development. PLoS One, 10 (2) e0117978, e0117978. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117978

Differential mRNA expression and glucocorticoid-mediated regulation of TRPM6 and TRPM7 in the heart and kidney throughout murine pregnancy and development

2015

Journal Article

Renal dysfunction is associated with a reduced contribution of nitric oxide and enhanced vasoconstriction following a congenital renal mass reduction in sheep

Lankadeva, Yugeesh R., Singh, Reetu R., Moritz, Karen M., Parkington, Helena C., Denton, Kate M. and Tare, Marianne (2015). Renal dysfunction is associated with a reduced contribution of nitric oxide and enhanced vasoconstriction following a congenital renal mass reduction in sheep. Circulation, 131 (3), 280-288. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.013930

Renal dysfunction is associated with a reduced contribution of nitric oxide and enhanced vasoconstriction following a congenital renal mass reduction in sheep

2015

Conference Publication

Effects of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation in Hypertensive Sheep with Chronic Kidney Disease

Singh, R., Booth, L., May, C., Head, G., Moritz, K., Schlaich, M. and Denton, K. (2015). Effects of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation in Hypertensive Sheep with Chronic Kidney Disease. 51st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Canberra, ACT Australia, 7-9 September 2015. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/nep.12543

Effects of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation in Hypertensive Sheep with Chronic Kidney Disease

2015

Conference Publication

Placental Glycogen Deposition: a Cause or Consequence of Impaired Placental Development Contributing to Fetal Growth Restriction?

Moritz, Karen, Cuffe, James and Simmons, David (2015). Placental Glycogen Deposition: a Cause or Consequence of Impaired Placental Development Contributing to Fetal Growth Restriction?. International Federation of Placenta Associations Meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2015. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.219

Placental Glycogen Deposition: a Cause or Consequence of Impaired Placental Development Contributing to Fetal Growth Restriction?

2015

Conference Publication

Periconceptional alcohol exposure causes mid-gestational placental growth restriction and alters trophoblast invasion into the decidua

Kalisch-Smith, Jacinta, Pantaleon, Marie, Simmons, David and Moritz, Karen (2015). Periconceptional alcohol exposure causes mid-gestational placental growth restriction and alters trophoblast invasion into the decidua. International Federation of Placenta Associations Meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 8-11 September 2015. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.294

Periconceptional alcohol exposure causes mid-gestational placental growth restriction and alters trophoblast invasion into the decidua

2015

Conference Publication

Early alcohol exposure alters placental trophoblast differentiation

Kalisch-Smith, Jacinta, Pantaleon, Marie, Simmons, David and Moritz, Karen (2015). Early alcohol exposure alters placental trophoblast differentiation. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.200

Early alcohol exposure alters placental trophoblast differentiation

2015

Journal Article

Late gestational hypoxia and a postnatal high salt diet programs endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in adult mouse offspring

Walton, Sarah L., Singh, Reetu R., Tan, Tiffany, Paravicini, Tamara M. and Moritz, Karen M. (2015). Late gestational hypoxia and a postnatal high salt diet programs endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in adult mouse offspring. Journal of Physiology, 594 (5), 1451-1463. doi: 10.1113/JP271067

Late gestational hypoxia and a postnatal high salt diet programs endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in adult mouse offspring

2015

Conference Publication

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse causes sex specific alterations in placental OGT and O-linked glycosylation

Cuffe, James, Steane, Sarah, McMahon, Kathryn, Moritz, Karen and Pantaleon, Marie (2015). Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse causes sex specific alterations in placental OGT and O-linked glycosylation. International Federation of Placenta Associations Meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2015. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.199

Maternal corticosterone exposure in the mouse causes sex specific alterations in placental OGT and O-linked glycosylation

2014

Journal Article

Reduced sensitivity of the renal vasculature to angiotensin II in young rats: the role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor

Brown, Russell D., Hilliard, Lucinda M., Mirabito, Katrina M., Firth, Laura C., Moritz, Karen M., Evans, Roger G. and Denton, Kate M. (2014). Reduced sensitivity of the renal vasculature to angiotensin II in young rats: the role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor. Pediatric Research, 76 (5), 448-452. doi: 10.1038/pr.2014.121

Reduced sensitivity of the renal vasculature to angiotensin II in young rats: the role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor

2014

Journal Article

Transgenerational left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension in offspring after uteroplacental insufficiency in male rats

Master, Jordanna S., Zimanyi, Monika A., Yin, Kom V., Moritz, Karen M., Gallo, Linda A., Tran, Melanie, Wlodek, Mary E. and Black, Mary J. (2014). Transgenerational left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension in offspring after uteroplacental insufficiency in male rats. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 41 (11), 884-890. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12303

Transgenerational left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension in offspring after uteroplacental insufficiency in male rats

2014

Journal Article

The effects of gestational age and maternal hypoxia on the placental renin angiotensin system in the mouse

Cuffe, J. S. M., Walton, S. L., Steane, S. E., Singh, R. R., Simmons, D. G. and Moritz, K. M. (2014). The effects of gestational age and maternal hypoxia on the placental renin angiotensin system in the mouse. Placenta, 35 (11), 953-961. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.09.004

The effects of gestational age and maternal hypoxia on the placental renin angiotensin system in the mouse

2014

Journal Article

Sex-and age-related differences in the chronic pressure-natriuresis relationship: Role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor

Mirabito, Katrina M., Hilliard, Lucinda M., Kett, Michelle M., Brown, Russell D., Booth, Sean C., Widdop, Robert E., Moritz, Karen M., Evans, Roger G. and Denton, Kate M. (2014). Sex-and age-related differences in the chronic pressure-natriuresis relationship: Role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, 307 (8), F901-F907. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00288.2014

Sex-and age-related differences in the chronic pressure-natriuresis relationship: Role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor

2014

Conference Publication

URINE-CONCENTRATING DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED NEPHRON NUMBER AND PROXIMAL AND DISTAL TUBULE ELONGATION IN MALE but not female OFFSPRING EXPOSED TO LATE-GESTATIONAL HYPOXIA

Walton, S., Singh, R., Little, M. and Moritz, K. (2014). URINE-CONCENTRATING DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED NEPHRON NUMBER AND PROXIMAL AND DISTAL TUBULE ELONGATION IN MALE but not female OFFSPRING EXPOSED TO LATE-GESTATIONAL HYPOXIA. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

URINE-CONCENTRATING DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED NEPHRON NUMBER AND PROXIMAL AND DISTAL TUBULE ELONGATION IN MALE but not female OFFSPRING EXPOSED TO LATE-GESTATIONAL HYPOXIA

2014

Journal Article

Low dose prenatal alcohol exposure does not impair spatial learning and memory in two tests in adult and aged rats

Cullen, Carlie L., Burne, Thomas H. J., Lavidis, Nickolas A. and Moritz, Karen M. (2014). Low dose prenatal alcohol exposure does not impair spatial learning and memory in two tests in adult and aged rats. PLoS One, 9 (6) e101482, e101482.1-e101482.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101482

Low dose prenatal alcohol exposure does not impair spatial learning and memory in two tests in adult and aged rats

2014

Journal Article

Adverse prenatal environment and kidney development: Implications for programing of adult disease

Dorey, Emily S., Pantaleon, Marie, Weir, Kristy A. and Moritz, Karen M. (2014). Adverse prenatal environment and kidney development: Implications for programing of adult disease. Reproduction, 147 (6), R189-R198. doi: 10.1530/REP-13-0478

Adverse prenatal environment and kidney development: Implications for programing of adult disease

2014

Conference Publication

Low dose prenatal ethanol exposure induces anxiety-like behaviour but does not affect learning and memory in rat offspring

Moritz, K. and Cullen, C. (2014). Low dose prenatal ethanol exposure induces anxiety-like behaviour but does not affect learning and memory in rat offspring. 37th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) / 17th Congress of the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ISBRA), Bellevue, WA United States, 21-25 June 2014. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

Low dose prenatal ethanol exposure induces anxiety-like behaviour but does not affect learning and memory in rat offspring

2014

Journal Article

Mid- to late term hypoxia in the mouse alters placental morphology, glucocorticoid regulatory pathways and nutrient transporters in a sex-specific manner

Cuffe, J. S. M., Walton, S. L, Singh, R. R, Spiers, J. G., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Wilkinson, L., Little, M. H. and Moritz, K. M. (2014). Mid- to late term hypoxia in the mouse alters placental morphology, glucocorticoid regulatory pathways and nutrient transporters in a sex-specific manner. The Journal of Physiology, 592 (14), 1-15. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.272856

Mid- to late term hypoxia in the mouse alters placental morphology, glucocorticoid regulatory pathways and nutrient transporters in a sex-specific manner

2014

Journal Article

Adrenal steroidogenesis following prenatal dexamethasone exposure in the spiny mouse

Quinn, Tracey A., Ratnayake, Udani, Castillo-Melendez, Margie, Moritz, Karen M., Dickinson, Hayley and Walker, David W. (2014). Adrenal steroidogenesis following prenatal dexamethasone exposure in the spiny mouse. Journal of Endocrinology, 221 (2), 347-362. doi: 10.1530/JOE-13-0514

Adrenal steroidogenesis following prenatal dexamethasone exposure in the spiny mouse

2014

Journal Article

Loss of a kidney during fetal life: long-term consequences and lessons learned

Lankadeva, Yugeesh R., Singh, Reetu R., Tare, Marianne, Moritz, Karen M. and Denton, Kate M. (2014). Loss of a kidney during fetal life: long-term consequences and lessons learned. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 306 (8), F791-F800. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00666.2013

Loss of a kidney during fetal life: long-term consequences and lessons learned

2014

Journal Article

Embryo transfer cannot delineate between the maternal pregnancy environment and germ line effects in the transgenerational transmission of disease in rats

Tran, Melanie, Gallo, Linda A., Hanvey, Alanna N., Jefferies, Andrew J., Westcott, Kerryn T., Cullen-McEwen, Luise A., Gardner, David K., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2014). Embryo transfer cannot delineate between the maternal pregnancy environment and germ line effects in the transgenerational transmission of disease in rats. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 306 (8), R607-R618. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00523.2013

Embryo transfer cannot delineate between the maternal pregnancy environment and germ line effects in the transgenerational transmission of disease in 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

  • 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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