![Dr Nicole Warrington](/sites/default/files/profiles/8867.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Dr Nicole Warrington is a NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the University of Queensland Institute for Molecular Bioscience. She has a strong background in statistical genetics and has been actively working towards understanding the genetic determinants of early life growth. Dr Warrington studied a Bachelor of Science at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, majoring in Mathematical Statistics and Psychology. She then completed an honours degree at The University of Western Australia, where she developed a keen interest for genetics, and was subsequently awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award to complete her PhD in statistical genetics and life-course epidemiology. During her PhD she spent time at the University of Toronto to gain experience in statistical modelling methods for longitudinal growth trajectories and conducted the first genome-wide association study of longitudinal growth trajectories over childhood. After completing her PhD, Dr Warrington started at the University of Queensland and focused on using genetics to inform about the relationship between birth weight and cardio-metabolic diseases in later life. She pioneered a new statistical method to partition genetic effects on birth weight into maternal and fetal components, and combined this method with a causal modelling approach, Mendelian randomization. This method was instrumental in demonstrating the relationship between birth weight and adult hypertension is driven by genetic effects, over-turning 30 years of research into the effects of intrauterine programming. More recently, her research focus has broadened to determine whether rapid weight growth across early life, including fetal development, childhood and adolescence, causally increases risk of cardio-metabolic disease and in doing so, hopes to identify optimal times across the life-course where interventions could reduce the incidence of cardio-metabolic diseases.
Availability
- Dr Nicole Warrington is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
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Developmental origins of health and disease
The development of obesity often occurs in early life and tends to persist into adulthood. Unfavourable growth in early life is also associated with adverse cardio-metabolic outcomes in later life, such as type two diabetes and heart disease. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this relationship is a vital step in combating these lifestyle diseases and evaluating the likely success of early interventions. This research aims to address the following questions: (a) What maternal characteristics modify the early life environment and cause rapid early life weight growth in her offspring? (b) Is there a time period in early life where rapid weight growth causes increased risk of cardio-metabolic disease in later life, independent of adult obesity? Dr Warrington is a leading member of the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) consortium, which brings together studies from around the world with growth related phenotypes and genetic data in order to conduct large-scale genetic research. The EGG consortium have conducted several large genome-wide association studies of growth phenotypes, which are published in high impact journals including Nature and Nature Genetics. The results from these genome-wide association studies are then used to perform causal modelling to help disentangle the relationship between childhood growth and later life cardio-metabolic disease risk.
Works
Search Professor Nicole Warrington’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
The Prospective Association between Early Life Growth and Breast Density in Young Adult Women
Lloyd, Rachel, Pirikahu, Sarah, Walter, Jane, Cadby, Gemma, Warrington, Nicole, Perera, Dilukshi, Hickey, Martha, Saunders, Christobel, Hackmann, Michael, Sampson, David D., Shepherd, John, Lilge, Lothar and Stone, Jennifer (2024). The Prospective Association between Early Life Growth and Breast Density in Young Adult Women. Cancers, 16 (13) 2418, 2418. doi: 10.3390/cancers16132418
2024
Journal Article
A genome-wide association study provides insights into the genetic etiology of 57 essential and non-essential trace elements in humans
Moksnes, Marta R., Hansen, Ailin F., Wolford, Brooke N., Thomas, Laurent F., Rasheed, Humaira, Simić, Anica, Bhatta, Laxmi, Brantsæter, Anne Lise, Surakka, Ida, Zhou, Wei, Magnus, Per, Njølstad, Pål R., Andreassen, Ole A., Syversen, Tore, Zheng, Jie, Fritsche, Lars G., Evans, David M., Warrington, Nicole M., Nøst, Therese H., Åsvold, Bjørn Olav, Flaten, Trond Peder, Willer, Cristen J., Hveem, Kristian and Brumpton, Ben M. (2024). A genome-wide association study provides insights into the genetic etiology of 57 essential and non-essential trace elements in humans. Communications Biology, 7 (1) 432, 432. doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06101-z
2024
Journal Article
Meta-regression of genome-wide association studies to estimate age-varying genetic effects
Pagoni, Panagiota, Higgins, Julian P. T., Lawlor, Deborah A., Stergiakouli, Evie, Warrington, Nicole M., Morris, Tim T. and Tilling, Kate (2024). Meta-regression of genome-wide association studies to estimate age-varying genetic effects. European Journal of Epidemiology, 39 (3), 257-270. doi: 10.1007/s10654-023-01086-1
2024
Journal Article
Maternal plasma cortisol’s effect on offspring birth weight: a Mendelian Randomisation study
Thompson, W. D., Reynolds, R. M., Beaumont, R. N., Warrington, N. M., Tyrrell, J., Wood, A. R., Evans, D. M., McDonald, T. J., Hattersley, A. H., Freathy, R. M., Lawlor, D. A. and Borges, M. C. (2024). Maternal plasma cortisol’s effect on offspring birth weight: a Mendelian Randomisation study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24 (1) 65, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06250-3
2024
Conference Publication
Examining the association between fetal HLA-C and maternal KIR haplotypes and birthweight in the UK biobank
Decina, Caitlin, Warrington, Nicole, Beaumont, Robin, Freathy, Rachel and Evans, David (2024). Examining the association between fetal HLA-C and maternal KIR haplotypes and birthweight in the UK biobank. 56th Annual Conference of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG), Glasgow, Scotland, 10-13 June 2023. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group.
2023
Journal Article
Partitioning genetic effects on birthweight at classical human leukocyte antigen loci into maternal and fetal components, using structural equation modelling
Wang, Geng, Warrington, Nicole M. and Evans, David M. (2023). Partitioning genetic effects on birthweight at classical human leukocyte antigen loci into maternal and fetal components, using structural equation modelling. International Journal of Epidemiology, 53 (1) dyad142, 1-9. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyad142
2023
Journal Article
Investigating a possible causal relationship between maternal serum urate concentrations and offspring birthweight: a Mendelian randomization study
Decina, Caitlin S., Hopkins, Rhian, Bowden, Jack, Shields, Beverly M., Lawlor, Deborah A., Warrington, Nicole M., Evans, David M., Freathy, Rachel M. and Beaumont, Robin N. (2023). Investigating a possible causal relationship between maternal serum urate concentrations and offspring birthweight: a Mendelian randomization study. International Journal of Epidemiology, 52 (1), 178-189. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyac186
2023
Journal Article
Causal effects of maternal circulating amino acids on offspring birthweight: a Mendelian randomisation study
Zhao, Jian, Stewart, Isobel D., Baird, Denis, Mason, Dan, Wright, John, Zheng, Jie, Gaunt, Tom R., Evans, David M., Freathy, Rachel M., Langenberg, Claudia, Warrington, Nicole M., Lawlor, Deborah A. and Borges, Maria Carolina (2023). Causal effects of maternal circulating amino acids on offspring birthweight: a Mendelian randomisation study. eBioMedicine, 88 104441, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104441
2023
Journal Article
Methodological approaches, challenges, and opportunities in the application of Mendelian randomisation to lifecourse epidemiology: A systematic literature review
Power, Grace M., Sanderson, Eleanor, Pagoni, Panagiota, Fraser, Abigail, Morris, Tim, Prince, Claire, Frayling, Timothy M., Heron, Jon, Richardson, Tom G., Richmond, Rebecca, Tyrrell, Jessica, Warrington, Nicole, Davey Smith, George, Howe, Laura D. and Tilling, Kate M. (2023). Methodological approaches, challenges, and opportunities in the application of Mendelian randomisation to lifecourse epidemiology: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Epidemiology, 39 (5), 501-520. doi: 10.1007/s10654-023-01032-1
2022
Journal Article
Using genomic structural equation modeling to partition the genetic covariance between birthweight and cardiometabolic risk factors into maternal and offspring components in the Norwegian HUNT study
Moen, Gunn-Helen, Nivard, Michel, Bhatta, Laxmi, Warrington, Nicole M., Willer, Cristen, Åsvold, Bjørn Olav, Brumpton, Ben and Evans, David M. (2022). Using genomic structural equation modeling to partition the genetic covariance between birthweight and cardiometabolic risk factors into maternal and offspring components in the Norwegian HUNT study. Behavior Genetics, 53 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s10519-022-10116-9
2022
Journal Article
Mendelian randomization analysis of factors related to ovulation and reproductive function and endometrial cancer risk
D’Urso, Shannon, Arumugam, Pooja, Weider, Therese, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Bond, Tom A., Kemp, John P., Warrington, Nicole M., Evans, David M., O’Mara, Tracy A. and Moen, Gunn-Helen (2022). Mendelian randomization analysis of factors related to ovulation and reproductive function and endometrial cancer risk. BMC Medicine, 20 (1) 419, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12916-022-02585-w
2022
Journal Article
Birth weight and cardiometabolic risk factors: a discordant twin study in the UK Biobank
Wang, Geng, Bond, Tom A., Warrington, Nicole M. and Evans, David M. (2022). Birth weight and cardiometabolic risk factors: a discordant twin study in the UK Biobank. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 14 (2) PII S2040174422000538, 1-7. doi: 10.1017/s2040174422000538
2022
Journal Article
Mendelian randomization study of maternal coffee consumption and its influence on birthweight, stillbirth, miscarriage, gestational age and pre-term birth
Brito Nunes, Caroline, Huang, Peiyuan, Wang, Geng, Lundberg, Mischa, D’Urso, Shannon, Wootton, Robyn E., Borges, Maria Carolina, Lawlor, Deborah A., Warrington, Nicole M., Evans, David M., Hwang, Liang-Dar and Moen, Gunn-Helen (2022). Mendelian randomization study of maternal coffee consumption and its influence on birthweight, stillbirth, miscarriage, gestational age and pre-term birth. International Journal of Epidemiology, 52 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyac121
2022
Book Chapter
Integrating family-based and Mendelian randomization designs
Hwang, Liang-Dar, Davies, Neil M., Warrington, Nicole M. and Evans, David M. (2022). Integrating family-based and Mendelian randomization designs. Combining human genetics and causal inference to understand human disease and development. (pp. 137-150) edited by George Davey Smith, Rebecca Richmond and Jean-Baptiste Pingault. Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
2022
Journal Article
Investigating a potential causal relationship between maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and future offspring cardiometabolic health
Wang, Geng, Bhatta, Laxmi, Moen, Gunn-Helen, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Kemp, John P., Bond, Tom A., Åsvold, Bjørn Olav, Brumpton, Ben, Evans, David M. and Warrington, Nicole M. (2022). Investigating a potential causal relationship between maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and future offspring cardiometabolic health. Hypertension, 79 (1), 170-177. doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.17701
2021
Journal Article
Fetal alleles predisposing to metabolically favourable adiposity are associated with higher birth weight
Thompson, William D., Beaumont, Robin N., Kuang, Alan, Warrington, Nicole M., Ji, Yingjie, Tyrrell, Jess, Wood, Andrew R., Scholtens, Denise, Knight, Bridget A., Evans, David M., Lowe, Bill L., Santorelli, Gillian, Azad, Raq, Mason, Dan, Hattersley, Andrew T., Frayling, Timothy M., Yaghootkar, Hanieh, Borges, Maria-Carolina, Lawlor, Deborah A. and Freathy, Rachel M. (2021). Fetal alleles predisposing to metabolically favourable adiposity are associated with higher birth weight. Human Molecular Genetics, 31 (11), 1762-1775. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddab356
2021
Conference Publication
Investigating a potential causal relationship between maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and future offspring cardiometabolic health
Wang, Geng, Bhatta, Laxmi, Moen, Gunn-Helen, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Kemp, John P., Bond, Tom A., Asvold, Bjorn Olav, Brumpton, Ben, Evans, David M. and Warrington, Nicole M. (2021). Investigating a potential causal relationship between maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and future offspring cardiometabolic health. Behavior Genetics Association 51st Annual Meeting, Online (Zoom), 29 June 2021. New York, United States: Springer.
2021
Conference Publication
Methods for Enabling and Improving the Power of Mendelian Randomization Studies of Parental Environmental Exposures and Offspring Outcomes
Moen, Gunn-Helen, Bhatta, Laxmi, Asvold, Bjorn Olav, Brumpton, Ben, Warrington, Nicole M. and Evans, David M. (2021). Methods for Enabling and Improving the Power of Mendelian Randomization Studies of Parental Environmental Exposures and Offspring Outcomes. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.
2021
Journal Article
Higher maternal adiposity reduces offspring birthweight if associated with a metabolically favourable profile
Thompson, William D., Beaumont, Robin N., Kuang, Alan, Warrington, Nicole M., Ji, Yingjie, Tyrrell, Jessica, Wood, Andrew R., Scholtens, Denise M., Knight, Bridget A., Evans, David M., Lowe, William L., Santorelli, Gillian, Azad, Rafaq, Mason, Dan, Hattersley, Andrew T., Frayling, Timothy M., Yaghootkar, Hanieh, Borges, Maria Carolina, Lawlor, Deborah A. and Freathy, Rachel M. (2021). Higher maternal adiposity reduces offspring birthweight if associated with a metabolically favourable profile. Diabetologia, 64 (12), 2790-2802. doi: 10.1007/s00125-021-05570-9
2021
Journal Article
Estimating direct and indirect genetic effects on offspring phenotypes using genome-wide summary results data
Warrington, Nicole M., Hwang, Liang-Dar, Nivard, Michel G. and Evans, David M. (2021). Estimating direct and indirect genetic effects on offspring phenotypes using genome-wide summary results data. Nature Communications, 12 (1) 5420, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-25723-z
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nicole Warrington is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Using multi-omics approaches to characterise determinants of early growth trajectories and their consequences on later life health
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Jake Gratten, Professor David Evans
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Doctor Philosophy
Identifying pharmacological targets for osteoporosis intervention using whole-genome and exome sequencing of bone related phenotypes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Kemp
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing and Applying Statistical Genetics Methods to Elucidate the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Evans
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the time and tissue dependent genetic architecture of complex traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Loic Yengo
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Using Genetics to Understand the Relationship Between the Intrauterine Environment and Future Offspring Cardiometabolic Risk
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Evans
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Detecting and Quantifying the Effect of Assortative mating and Maternal Effects on Statistical Genetics Analyses
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Evans
Media
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