Dr Nicole Warrington
Dr

Nicole Warrington

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 37347

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

Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Biostatistics Foetal development and medicine Gene mapping Genetics Mathematical Sciences Statistics

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research interests

  • 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.

Search Professor Nicole Warrington’s works on UQ eSpace

116 works between 2007 and 2024
All (116) Journal Article (102) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (13)

61 - 80 of 116 works

2015

Journal Article

A novel common variant in DCST2 is associated with length in early life and height in adulthood

van der Valk, Ralf J. P., Kreiner-Moller, Eskil, Kooijman, Marjolein N., Guxens, Monica, Stergiakouli, Evangelia, Saaf, Annika, Bradfield, Jonathan P., Geller, Frank, Hayes, M. Geoffrey, Cousminer, Diana L., Koerner, Antje, Thiering, Elisabeth, Curtin, John A., Myhre, Ronny, Huikari, Ville, Joro, Raimo, Kerkhof, Marjan, Warrington, Nicole M., Pitkanen, Niina, Ntalla, Ioanna, Horikoshi, Momoko, Veijola, Riitta, Freathy, Rachel M., Teo, Yik-Ying, Barton, Sheila J., Evans, David M., Kemp, John P., St Pourcain, Beate, Ring, Susan M. ... for the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium (2015). A novel common variant in DCST2 is associated with length in early life and height in adulthood. Human Molecular Genetics, 24 (4) ddu510, 1155-1168. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddu510

A novel common variant in DCST2 is associated with length in early life and height in adulthood

2015

Conference Publication

Large scale genome-wide association study for birth weight identifies 13 novel loci and reveals genetic links with a variety of adult metabolic and anthropometric traits

Horikoahi, Momoko, Day, Felix R., Perry, John R. B., Hottenga, Jouke-Jan, Li-Gao, Ruifang, Beaumont, Robin, Warrington, Nicole M. and Timpson, Nicholas J. (2015). Large scale genome-wide association study for birth weight identifies 13 novel loci and reveals genetic links with a variety of adult metabolic and anthropometric traits. Annual Meeting of the International-Genetic-Epidemiology-Society (IGES), Baltimore, Md, United States, Oct 04-06 2015. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/gepi.21916

Large scale genome-wide association study for birth weight identifies 13 novel loci and reveals genetic links with a variety of adult metabolic and anthropometric traits

2014

Journal Article

Robustness of the linear mixed effects model to error distribution assumptions and the consequences for genome-wide association studies

Warrington, Nicole M., Tilling, Kate, Howe, Laura D., Paternoster, Lavinia, Pennell, Craig E., Wu, Yan Yan and Briollais, Laurent (2014). Robustness of the linear mixed effects model to error distribution assumptions and the consequences for genome-wide association studies. Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology, 13 (5), 567-587. doi: 10.1515/sagmb-2013-0066

Robustness of the linear mixed effects model to error distribution assumptions and the consequences for genome-wide association studies

2014

Journal Article

Common variation near ROBO2 is associated with expressive vocabulary in infancy

St Pourcain, Beate, Cents, Rolieke A. M., Whitehouse, Andrew J. O., Haworth, Claire M. A., Davis, Oliver S. P., O'Reilly, Paul F., Roulstone, Susan, Wren, Yvonne, Ang, Qi W., Velders, Fleur P., Evans, David M., Kemp, John P., Warrington, Nicole M., Miller, Laura, Timpson, Nicholas J., Ring, Susan M., Verhulst, Frank C., Hofman, Albert, Rivadeneira, Fernando, Meaburn, Emma L., Price, Thomas S., Dale, Philip S., Pillas, Demetris, Yliherva, Anneli, Rodriguez, Alina, Golding, Jean, Jaddoe, Vincent W. V., Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta, Plomin, Robert ... Smith, George Davey (2014). Common variation near ROBO2 is associated with expressive vocabulary in infancy. Nature Communications, 5 (1) A4831, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5831

Common variation near ROBO2 is associated with expressive vocabulary in infancy

2014

Journal Article

Genome-wide association study of sexual maturation in males and females highlights a role for body mass and menarche loci in male puberty

Cousminer, Diana L., Stergiakouli, Evangelia, Berry, Diane J., Ang, Wei, Groen-Blokhuis, Maria M., Koerner, Antje, Siitonen, Niina, Ntalla, Ioanna, Marinelli, Marcella, Perry, John R. B., Kettunen, Johannes, Jansen, Rick, Surakka, Ida, Timpson, Nicholas J., Ring, Susan, Mcmahon, George, Power, Chris, Wang, Carol, Kahonen, Mika, Viikari, Jorma, Lehtimaki, Terho, Middeldorp, Christel M., Pol, Hilleke E. Hulshoff, Neef, Madlen, Weise, Sebastian, Pahkala, Katja, Niinikoski, Harri, Zeggini, Eleftheria, Panoutsopoulou, Kalliope ... Warrington, Nicole M. (2014). Genome-wide association study of sexual maturation in males and females highlights a role for body mass and menarche loci in male puberty. Human Molecular Genetics, 23 (16) ddu150, 4452-4464. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddu150

Genome-wide association study of sexual maturation in males and females highlights a role for body mass and menarche loci in male puberty

2014

Journal Article

Phenotypic dissection of bone mineral density reveals skeletal site specificity and facilitates the identification of novel loci in the genetic regulation of bone mass attainment

Kemp, John P., Medina-Gomez, Carolina, Estrada, Karol, St Pourcain, Beate, Heppe, Denise H. M., Warrington, Nicole M., Oei, Ling, Ring, Susan M., Kruithof, Claudia J., Timpson, Nicholas J., Wolber, Lisa E., Reppe, Sjur, Gautvik, Kaare, Grundberg, Elin, Ge, Bing, van der Eerden, Bram, van de Peppel, Jeroen, Hibbs, Matthew A., Ackert-Bicknell, Cheryl L., Choi, Kwangbom, Koller, Daniel L., Econs, Michael J., Williams, Frances M. K., Foroud, Tatiana, Carola Zillikens, M., Ohlsson, Claes, Hofman, Albert, Uitterlinden, Andre G., Davey Smith, George ... Evans, David M. (2014). Phenotypic dissection of bone mineral density reveals skeletal site specificity and facilitates the identification of novel loci in the genetic regulation of bone mass attainment. PLoS Genetics, 10 (6) e1004423, 1-18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004423

Phenotypic dissection of bone mineral density reveals skeletal site specificity and facilitates the identification of novel loci in the genetic regulation of bone mass attainment

2014

Conference Publication

Bivariate genetic association analysis of pediatric total-body DXA parameters identifies two novel genetic variants that jointly influence bone mineral content and bone area

Kemp, John P., Medina-Gomez, Carolina, Warrington, Nicole M., Heppe, Denise H. M., Timpson, Nicholas J., Oei, Ling, St Pourcain, Beate, Kruithof, Claudia J., Zillikens, M. Carola, Hofman, Albert, Uitterlinden, Andre G., Smith, George Davey, Jaddoe, Vincent W. V., Tobias, Jonathan H., Rivadeneira, Fernando and Evans, David M. (2014). Bivariate genetic association analysis of pediatric total-body DXA parameters identifies two novel genetic variants that jointly influence bone mineral content and bone area. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Houston, Texas, United States, 12-15 September 2014. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

Bivariate genetic association analysis of pediatric total-body DXA parameters identifies two novel genetic variants that jointly influence bone mineral content and bone area

2013

Journal Article

Association of a body mass index genetic risk score with growth throughout childhood and adolescence

Warrington, Nicole M., Howe, Laura D., Wu, Yan Yan, Timpson, Nicholas J., Tilling, Kate, Pennell, Craig E., Newnham, John, Davey-Smith, George, Palmer, Lyle J., Beilin, Lawrence J., Lye, Stephen J., Lawlor, Debbie A. and Briollais, L. (2013). Association of a body mass index genetic risk score with growth throughout childhood and adolescence. PLoS One, 8 (11) e79547, e79547. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079547

Association of a body mass index genetic risk score with growth throughout childhood and adolescence

2013

Journal Article

Association of adiposity genetic variants with menarche timing in 92,105 women of European descent

Fernández-Rhodes, Lindsay, Demerath, Ellen W., Cousminer, Diana L., Tao, Ran, Dreyfus, Jill G., Esko, Tõnu, Smith, Albert V., Gudnason, Vilmundur, Harris, Tamara B., Launer, Lenore, McArdle, Patrick F., Yerges-Armstrong, Laura M., Elks, Cathy E., Strachan, David P., Kutalik, Zoltán, Vollenweider, Peter, Feenstra, Bjarke, Boyd, Heather A., Metspalu, Andres, Mihailov, Evelin, Broer, Linda, Zillikens, M. Carola, Oostra, Ben, van Duijn, Cornelia M., Lunetta, Kathryn L., Perry, John R. B., Murray, Anna, Koller, Daniel L., Lai, Dongbing ... Franceschini, Nora (2013). Association of adiposity genetic variants with menarche timing in 92,105 women of European descent. American Journal of Epidemiology, 178 (3), 451-460. doi: 10.1093/aje/kws473

Association of adiposity genetic variants with menarche timing in 92,105 women of European descent

2013

Journal Article

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies ten loci influencing allergic sensitization

Bønnelykke, Klaus, Matheson, Melanie C., Pers, Tune H., Granell, Raquel, Strachan, David P., Alves, Alexessander Couto, Linneberg, Allan, Curtin, John A., Warrington, Nicole M., Standl, Marie, Kerkhof, Marjan, Jonsdottir, Ingileif, Bukvic, Blazenka K., Kaakinen, Marika, Sleimann, Patrick, Thorleifsson, Gudmar, Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur, Schramm, Katharina, Baltic, Svetlana, Kreiner-Møller, Eskil, Simpson, Angela, St Pourcain, Beate, Coin, Lachlan, Hui, Jennie, Walters, Eugene H., Tiesler, Carla M. T., Duffy, David L., Jones, Graham, Ring, Susan M. ... Brown, Matthew A. (2013). Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies ten loci influencing allergic sensitization. Nature Genetics, 45 (8), 902-906. doi: 10.1038/ng.2694

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies ten loci influencing allergic sensitization

2013

Journal Article

Genome-wide association and longitudinal analyses reveal genetic loci linking pubertal height growth, pubertal timing and childhood adiposity

Cousminer D.L., Berry D.J., Timpson N.J., Ang W., Thiering E., Byrne E.M., Rob Taal H., Huikari V., Bradfield J.P., Kerkhof M., Groen-Blokhuis M.M., Kreiner-Moller E., Marinelli M., Holst C., Leinonen J.T., Perry J.R.B., Surakka I., Pietilainen O., Kettunen J., Anttila V., Kaakinen M., Sovio U., Pouta A., Das S., Lagou V., Power C., Prokopenko I., Evans D.M., Kemp J.P. ... Middeldorp, Christel (2013). Genome-wide association and longitudinal analyses reveal genetic loci linking pubertal height growth, pubertal timing and childhood adiposity. Human Molecular Genetics, 22 (13), 2735-2747. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt104

Genome-wide association and longitudinal analyses reveal genetic loci linking pubertal height growth, pubertal timing and childhood adiposity

2013

Journal Article

Corrigendum: Common variants at 12q15 and 12q24 are associated with infant head circumference (vol 44, pg 532, 2012)

Taal, H. Rob, St Pourcain, Beate, Thiering, Elisabeth, Das, Shikta, Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O., Warrington, Nicole M., Kaakinen, Marika, Kreiner-Moller, Eskil, Bradfield, Jonathan P., Freathy, Rachel M., Geller, Frank, Guxens, Monica, Cousminer, Diana L., Kerkhof, Marjan, Timpson, Nicholas J., Ikram, M. Arfan, Beilin, Lawrence J., Bonnelykke, Klaus, Buxton, Jessica L., Charoen, Pimphen, Chawes, Bo Lund Krogsgaard, Eriksson, Johan, Evans, David M., Hofman, Albert, Kemp, John P., EKim, Cecilia, Klopp, Norman, Lahti, Jari, Lye, Stephen J. ... Jaddoe, Vincent W. V. (2013). Corrigendum: Common variants at 12q15 and 12q24 are associated with infant head circumference (vol 44, pg 532, 2012). Nature Genetics, 45 (6), 713-713. doi: 10.1038/ng0613-713a

Corrigendum: Common variants at 12q15 and 12q24 are associated with infant head circumference (vol 44, pg 532, 2012)

2013

Journal Article

A comprehensive investigation of variants in genes encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1/R2), and their association with serum adiponectin, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome

Peters, Kirsten E., Beilby, John, Cadby, Gemma, Warrington, Nicolen M., Bruce, David G., Davis, Wendy A., Davis, Timothy M. E., Wiltshire, Steven, Knuiman, Matthew, McQuillan, Brendan M., Palmer, Lyle J., Thompson, Peter L. and Hung, Joseph (2013). A comprehensive investigation of variants in genes encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1/R2), and their association with serum adiponectin, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. BMC Medical Genetics, 14 (1) 15. doi: 10.1186/1471-2350-14-15

A comprehensive investigation of variants in genes encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1/R2), and their association with serum adiponectin, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome

2013

Journal Article

Modelling BMI trajectories in children for genetic association studies

Warrington, Nicole M., Wu, Yan Yan, Pennell, Craig E., Marsh, Julie A., Beilin, Lawrence J., Palmer, Lyle J., Lye, Stephen J. and Briollais, Laurent (2013). Modelling BMI trajectories in children for genetic association studies. PLoS One, 8 (1) e53897, e53897. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053897

Modelling BMI trajectories in children for genetic association studies

2013

Journal Article

Genetic influences on trajectories of systolic blood pressure across childhood and adolescence

Howe, Laura D., Parmar, Priyakumari G., Paternoster, Lavinia, Warrington, Nicole M., Kemp, John P., Briollais, Laurent, Newnham, John P., Timpson, Nicholas J., Smith, George D., Ring, Susan M., Evans, David M., Tilling, Kate, Pennell, Craig E., Beilin, Lawrie J., Palmer, Lyle J. and Lawlor, Debbie A. (2013). Genetic influences on trajectories of systolic blood pressure across childhood and adolescence. Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, 6 (6), 608-614. doi: 10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.113.000197

Genetic influences on trajectories of systolic blood pressure across childhood and adolescence

2013

Journal Article

Common variation contributes to the genetic architecture of social communication traits

St Pourcain, Beate, Whitehouse, Andrew J. O., Ang, Wei Q., Warrington, Nicole M., Glessner, Joseph T., Wang, Kai, Timpson, Nicholas J., Evans, David M., Kemp, John P., Ring,Susan M., McArdle, Wendy L., Golding, Jean, Hakonarson, Hakon, Pennell, Craig E. and Smith, George Davey (2013). Common variation contributes to the genetic architecture of social communication traits. Molecular Autism, 4 (1) 34, 34.1-34.12. doi: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-34

Common variation contributes to the genetic architecture of social communication traits

2013

Journal Article

New loci associated with birth weight identify genetic links between intrauterine growth and adult height and metabolism

Horikoshi M., Yaghootkar H., Mook-Kanamori D.O., Sovio U., Taal H.R., Hennig B.J., Bradfield J.P., St Pourcain B., Evans D.M., Charoen P., Kaakinen M., Cousminer D.L., Lehtimaki T., Kreiner-Moller E., Warrington N.M., Bustamante M., Feenstra B., Berry D.J., Thiering E., Pfab T., Barton S.J., Shields B.M., Kerkhof M., Van Leeuwen E.M., Fulford A.J., Kutalik Z., Zhao J.H., Den Hoed M., Mahajan A. ... Freathy R.M. (2013). New loci associated with birth weight identify genetic links between intrauterine growth and adult height and metabolism. Nature Genetics, 45 (1), 76-82. doi: 10.1038/ng.2477

New loci associated with birth weight identify genetic links between intrauterine growth and adult height and metabolism

2012

Journal Article

Genome-wide meta-analysis of common variant differences between men and women

Boraska, Vesna, Jeroncic, Ana, Colonna, Vincenza, Southam, Lorraine, Nyholt, Dale R., Rayner, Nigel William, Perry, John R. B., Toniolo, Daniela, Albrecht, Eva, Ang, Wei, Bandinelli, Stefania, Barbalic, Maja, Barroso, Ines, Beckmann, Jacques S., Biffar, Reiner, Boomsma, Dorret, Campbell, Harry, Corre, Tanguy, Erdmann, Jeanette, Esko, Tonu, Fischer, Krista, Franceschini, Nora, Frayling, Timothy M., Girotto, Giorgia, Gonzalez, Juan R., Harris, Tamara B., Heath, Andrew C., Heid, Iris M., Hoffmann, Wolfgang ... Zeggini, Eleftheria (2012). Genome-wide meta-analysis of common variant differences between men and women. Human Molecular Genetics, 21 (21) dds304, 4805-4815. doi: 10.1093/hmg/dds304

Genome-wide meta-analysis of common variant differences between men and women

2012

Journal Article

Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify the Genetic Determinants of Otitis Media Susceptibility in Childhood

Rye, Marie S., Warrington, Nicole M., Scaman, Elizabeth S. H., Vijayasekaran, Shyan, Coates, Harvey L., Anderson, Denise, Pennell, Craig E., Blackwell, Jenefer M. and Jamieson, Sarra E. (2012). Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify the Genetic Determinants of Otitis Media Susceptibility in Childhood. PLoS One, 7 (10) e48215, e48215.1-e48215.12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048215

Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify the Genetic Determinants of Otitis Media Susceptibility in Childhood

2012

Journal Article

A genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies new childhood obesity loci

Bradfield, Jonathan P., Taal, H. Rob, Timpson, Nicholas J., Scherag, André, Lecoeur, Cecile, Warrington, Nicole M., Hypponen, Elina, Holst, Claus, Valcarcel, Beatriz, Thiering, Elisabeth, Salem, Rany M., Schumacher, Fredrick R., Cousminer, Diana L., Sleiman, Patrick M. A., Zhao, Jianhua, Berkowitz, Robert I., Vimaleswaran, Karani S., Jarick, Ivonne, Pennell, Craig E., Evans, David M., St Pourcain, Beate, Berry, Diane J., Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O., Hofman, Albert, Rivadeneira, Fernando, Uitterlinden, André G., van Duijn, Cornelia M., van der Valk, Ralf J. P., de Jongste, Johan C. ... Grant, Struan F. A. (2012). A genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies new childhood obesity loci. Nature Genetics, 44 (5), 526-531. doi: 10.1038/ng.2247

A genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies new childhood obesity loci

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2027
    Using genetics to identify optimal times to intervene on early life growth and reduce future risk of cardio-metabolic disease
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2022
    Identifying maternal and fetal genetic determinants of infant birthweight and their relationship to offspring cardiometabolic risk
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Using Methods in Genetic Epidemiology to Elucidate the Relationship Between Viral Infection and Risk of Autoimmune Disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Investigating the Genetic Correlation Underlying the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
    NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Bivariate genome-wide association study of birth weight and endophenotypes related to five diseases in later life
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Bivariate genome-wide association study of birth weight and endophenotypes related to five diseases in later life.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Nicole Warrington is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identifying genetic and cellular determinants of musculoskeletal disorders

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr John Kemp

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the time and tissue dependent genetic architecture of complex traits

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Loic Yengo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing and Applying Statistical Genetics Methods to Elucidate the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Evans

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the time and tissue dependent genetic architecture of complex traits

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Loic Yengo

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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