Karen Moritz
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1803 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/hmbs/about/leaders
Professor
Karen Moritz
Email: : k.moritz1@uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 334 65305
Positions
Professor and Associate Dean (Research) : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Overview
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.
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Availability
Professor Karen Moritz is: : Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne
Works
Search Professor Karen Moritz’s works on UQ eSpace
All (364) Book (1) Journal Article (257) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (99) Book Chapter (5)
2025
Journal Article
Renal and cardiovascular function in children with FASD : potential links to food approach and avoidance behaviors
Reid, Natasha, Logan, Jayden, Garavelis, Khari, Yang, Jinyang, Hayes, Nicole, Vanderpeet, Chelsea, Liddle, Karen, Young, Sophia, Maloney, Maree, Sullivan, Emily, Moritz, Karen and Akison, Lisa (2025). Renal and cardiovascular function in children with FASD : potential links to food approach and avoidance behaviors. Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research, 49 (12), 2695-2706. doi: 10.1111/acer.70200
2025
Journal Article
Impact of diet and exercise in growth restricted female rats on nephron endowment in male fetuses
Briffa, Jessica F., Gravina, Sogand, Richter, Viktoria F., Mahizir, Dayana, Anevska, Kristina, Mangwiro, Yeukai T. M., Cuffe, James S. M., Charchar, Fadi, Wadley, Glenn D., Hryciw, Deanne H., Moritz, Karen M. and Wlodek, Mary E. (2025). Impact of diet and exercise in growth restricted female rats on nephron endowment in male fetuses. Experimental Physiology EP092622. doi: 10.1113/EP092622
Impact of diet and exercise in growth restricted female rats on nephron endowment in male fetuses
2025
Journal Article
Metformin and insulin exacerbate one‐carbon metabolism deficits in pregnant growth restricted rats and impacts the placenta, fetal liver and pancreas
Zimmerman, Dayna A., Briffa, Jessica F., Kong, Dewei, Gravina, Sogand, Daygon, Dara, Kumar, Vinod, Moritz, Karen M., Lim, Lillian Y., Teo, Adrian K. K., Chan, Shiao‐Yng, Wlodek, Mary E. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2025). Metformin and insulin exacerbate one‐carbon metabolism deficits in pregnant growth restricted rats and impacts the placenta, fetal liver and pancreas. The Journal of Physiology, 603 (19) JP289453, 5751-5775. doi: 10.1113/jp289453
2025
Journal Article
Beyond the brain: the physical health and whole-body impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Vanderpeet, Chelsea, Akison, Lisa, Moritz, Karen, Hayes, Nicole and Reid, Natasha (2025). Beyond the brain: the physical health and whole-body impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 45 (1) 05, 05-1. doi: 10.35946/arcr.v45.1.05
Beyond the brain: the physical health and whole-body impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
2025
Journal Article
Renal hypertrophy and hyperfiltration is enhanced in early-acquired compared to a congenital solitary function kidney model in sheep
McArdle, Zoe, Singh, Reetu R., Walton, Sarah L., Moritz, Karen, Denton, Kate M.. and Schreuder, Michiel F. (2025). Renal hypertrophy and hyperfiltration is enhanced in early-acquired compared to a congenital solitary function kidney model in sheep. Clinical Science, 139 (05), 339-355. doi: 10.1042/cs20243031
2025
Journal Article
Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with altered feto-placental blood flow and sex-specific placental changes
Steane, Sarah E., Edwards, Christopher, Cavanagh, Erika, Vanderpeet, Chelsea, Kubler, Jade M., Akison, Lisa K., Cuffe, James S. M., Gallo, Linda A., Moritz, Karen M. and Clifton, Vicki L. (2025). Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with altered feto-placental blood flow and sex-specific placental changes. JCI Insight, 10 (3) e186096, 1-20. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.186096
2025
Journal Article
Effects of periconceptional ethanol on mitochondrial content and oxidative stress in maternal liver and placentas from male and female fetuses in rats
Steane, Sarah S., Das, Tulika, Kalisch-Smith, Jacinta I., Mahaliyanage, Dinithi T., Akison, Lisa K., Moritz, Karen M. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2025). Effects of periconceptional ethanol on mitochondrial content and oxidative stress in maternal liver and placentas from male and female fetuses in rats. The Journal of Physiology, 603 (5), 1281-1298. doi: 10.1113/JP287566
2024
Journal Article
A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process
Erng, May Na, Reid, Natasha, Moritz, Karen M. and van Driel, Mieke (2024). A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process. Health Education Research, 39 (6) cyae037, 554-567. doi: 10.1093/her/cyae037
A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process
2024
Journal Article
Prenatal alcohol exposure and associations with physical size, dysmorphology and neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Akison, Lisa K., Hayes, Nicole, Vanderpeet, Chelsea, Logan, Jayden, Munn, Zachary, Middleton, Philippa, Moritz, Karen M., Reid, Natasha and Australian FASD Guidelines Development Group, on behalf of the Australian FASD Guidelines Consortium (2024). Prenatal alcohol exposure and associations with physical size, dysmorphology and neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 22 (1) 467, 467. doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03656-w
2024
Journal Article
Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study
Garavelis, Khari, Hayes, Nicole, Maloney, Maree, Liddle, Karen, Moritz, Karen, Gullo, Matthew J., Rose, Tanya, Gullo, Hannah, McMah, Rebecca, Heussler, Helen and Reid, Natasha (2024). Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 24 (1) 874, 874. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05756-w
Student experiences in a novel interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic: a qualitative study
2024
Journal Article
The impacts of periconceptional alcohol on neonatal ovaries and subsequent adult fertility in the rat
Steane, Sarah E., Burgess, Danielle J., Moritz, Karen M. and Akison, Lisa K. (2024). The impacts of periconceptional alcohol on neonatal ovaries and subsequent adult fertility in the rat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25 (5) 2471, 1-11. doi: 10.3390/ijms25052471
2024
Journal Article
Exploring the experience of service users following attendance at a student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic
Garavelis, Khari Nicola, Hayes, Nicole, Rose, Tanya A., Maloney, Maree, Liddle, Karen, Moritz, Karen, Gullo, Matthew, Gullo, Hannah L., McMah, Rebeccah, Heussler, Helen and Reid, Natasha (2024). Exploring the experience of service users following attendance at a student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46 (7), 1298-1308. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2193430
2024
Conference Publication
Restricted Water Diffusion in the Renal Cortex is Associated with Early Developmental Factors and Elevated Urinary Cytokines in Preadolescents
Michael, Navin, Lu, Liangjian, Ooi, Delicia Shu Qin, Chan, Chang-Yien, Thirumugan, Kashthuri, Sadananthan, Suresh Anand, Prasad, Pottumarthi V., Fortier, Marielle, Loy, See Ling, Hian, Tan Kok, Yap, Fabian, Chong, Yap Seng, Godfrey, Keith, Gluckman, Peter, Eriksson, Johan G., Lee, Yung Seng, Moritz, Karen, Chan, Shiao-Yng, Wlodek, Mary and Velan, S. Sendhil (2024). Restricted Water Diffusion in the Renal Cortex is Associated with Early Developmental Factors and Elevated Urinary Cytokines in Preadolescents. 2023 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Toronto, Canada, 3-8 June 2023. Concord, CA United States: ISMRM. doi: 10.58530/2023/3804
2024
Conference Publication
Multiparametric Renal MRI Reveals Ethnic Disparities in Multiple Kidney Function Markers in Asian Preadolescents
Michael, Navin, Lu, Liangjian, Ooi, Delicia Shu Qin, Chan, Chang-Yien, Thirumugan, Kashthuri, Kway, Yeshe, Sadananthan, Suresh Anand, Fortier, Marielle, Kuhn, Bernd, Chong, Mary Foong-Fong, Toh, Jia Ying, Tan, Kok Hian, Yap, Fabian, Chong, Yap Seng, Godfrey, Keith, Gluckman, Peter, Eriksson, Johan, Lee, Yung Seng, Moritz, Karen, Chan, Shiao-Yng, Wlodek, Mary and Velan, S. Sendhil (2024). Multiparametric Renal MRI Reveals Ethnic Disparities in Multiple Kidney Function Markers in Asian Preadolescents. 2024 ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting, Singapore, 4-9 May 2024. Concord, CA United States: ISMRM. doi: 10.58530/2024/0781
2023
Journal Article
Diagnostic accuracy and economic value of a tiered assessment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (DATAforFASD): Protocol
Shanley, Dianne C, Zimmer-Gembeck, Melanie, Wheeler, Amanda J, Byrnes, Joshua, Ware, Robert S, Liu, Wei, Simcock, Gabrielle, White, Codi, Horton, Sarah, Page, Marjad, Shelton, Doug, Till, Haydn, Mills, Ianthe, Hislop, Carly, Harris, Katrina, Crichton, Alison, Reid, Natasha, Reilly, Sheena, Moritz, Karen, Walsh, Kerryann, Rundle-Thiele, Sharyn and Hawkins, Erinn (2023). Diagnostic accuracy and economic value of a tiered assessment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (DATAforFASD): Protocol. BMJ Open, 13 (8) e071004, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071004
2023
Journal Article
Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth
Kent, Nykola L., Atluri, Sharat C., Moritz, Karen M. and Cuffe, James S. M. (2023). Maternal hypothyroidism in rats impairs placental nutrient transporter expression, increases labyrinth zone size, and impairs fetal growth. Placenta, 139, 148-158. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.06.010
2023
Journal Article
Brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition attenuates the diuretic response to saline loading in sheep with solitary functioning kidney
McArdle, Zoe, Singh, Reetu R., Moritz, Karen M., Schreuder, Michiel F. and Denton, Kate M. (2023). Brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition attenuates the diuretic response to saline loading in sheep with solitary functioning kidney. Clinical Science, 137 (16), 1285-1296. doi: 10.1042/cs20230663
2023
Journal Article
Prenatal alcohol exposure risk perception dimensions and influencing factors: A systematic review and conceptual model
Erng, May N., Reid, Natasha, Moritz, Karen M. and van Driel, Mieke (2023). Prenatal alcohol exposure risk perception dimensions and influencing factors: A systematic review and conceptual model. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 47 (3) 100047, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100047
2023
Journal Article
Periconceptional alcohol alters in vivo heart function in ageing female rat offspring: Possible involvement of oestrogen receptor signalling
Dorey, Emily S., Headrick, John P., Paravicini, Tamara M., Wlodek, Mary E., Moritz, Karen M. and Reichelt, Melissa E. (2023). Periconceptional alcohol alters in vivo heart function in ageing female rat offspring: Possible involvement of oestrogen receptor signalling. Experimental Physiology, 108 (5), 772-784. doi: 10.1113/ep090587
2023
Conference Publication
Brief angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition early in life delays the onset of albuminuria in sheep born with a solitary functioning kidney
Denton, Kate, McArdle, Zoe, Moritz, Karen and Schreuder, Michiel (2023). Brief angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition early in life delays the onset of albuminuria in sheep born with a solitary functioning kidney. American Physiology Summit 2023 Meeting, Long Beach, CA United States, 20–23 April 2023. Rockville, MD United States: American Physiological Society. doi: 10.1152/physiol.2023.38.s1.5730732
Funding
Current funding
- 2024 - 2027
Understanding how binge drinking affects kidney development (NHMRC 2023 Ideas Grant administed by Monash)
Monash University
Open grant - 2022 - 2026
Expansion of FASD Diagnostic Services in Southern Queensland with Support for regional and remote settings
Drug and Alcohol Program
Open grant - 2020 - 2027
The Drug and Alcohol Program: Review and Dissemination of the Australian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Tool GO2647
Commonwealth Department of Health
Past funding
- 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
Host Gene Expression Signatures to Diagnose Sepsis in Children
MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
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
View all 31 past funded projects View less
Supervision
Availability
Professor Karen Moritz is: : Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### Advancing facial dysmorphology diagnostic practices for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid, Dr Lisa Akison - Doctor Philosophy
##### Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Risk Perceptions : A Conceptual Model - Development and Application
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid
Completed supervision
- 2022
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Reid - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### The effect of periconceptional alcohol exposure on behavioural outcomes and circadian rhythms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Oliver Rawashdeh - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Cuffe - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
##### The effect of periconceptional alcohol exposure on renal and cardiovascular development and function
Principal Advisor - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Gestational hypoxia and programming of disease.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Joan Li - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
##### The Long Term Neurobehavioral Correlates of Chronic Low Dose Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
##### Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure and the programming of cardiovascular disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wally Thomas - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### The effects of maternal glucocorticoid exposure on the developing placenta.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
##### The effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on maternal, placental, and fetal micronutrients
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Cuffe - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### The impact of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy on maternal, placental and fetal outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Cuffe - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2020
Master Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yvonne Eiby - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Simmons - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman, Dr Fiona Bogossian - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Magnesium in development and disease
Associate Advisor
View all 17 completed supervisions View less
Media
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