Associate Professor Kirsty Walters

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Discipline:

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Dr Kirsty Walters is a Senior Lecturer in Women’s and Children’s Health at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, specialising in the field of female reproduction and ovarian function.

Background:

Dr Walters was awarded her PhD in 2005 from Edinburgh University, Scotland, and was then recruited by the ANZAC Research Institute (ARI) to undertake a post-doctoral position investigating the role androgens play in regulating female reproduction and physiology. In February 2016 the UNSW recruited her to head up the Ovarian Biology Laboratory based in the Wallace Wurth, which forms part of the world-leading biomedical precinct at UNSW.

Research interests:

Dr Walters’ research involves using customized genetic mouse models in combination with clinical samples and trials to dissect out the fundamental mechanisms regulating female reproduction and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In particular, her research has focused on understanding the role androgens play in regulating female fertility and PCOS. Findings from this research will identify therapeutic targets for improved treatment of female infertility and the wide range of health issues associated with PCOS, including obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk.

Awards:

2018 - UNSW Medicine - Award for Research Excellence 2018

2018 - Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Women’s & Children’s Health Research Award

2018 - Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Women’s & Children’s Health Highly Commended Postgraduate Staff Teaching Award

2018 - Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) Mid-Career Researcher Award

2017 - Society for Reproductive Biology - Reproduction, Fertility and Development publication of the year award

2017 - The Endocrine Society of Australia Ken Wynne Memorial Postdoctoral Research Award

2016 - Society for Reproductive Biology Visiting Lecturer Award

2015 - Society for Reproductive Biology, Newcastle, Reproduction Emerging Research Leader Award

2015 - Research Supervisor Award, Sydney Research, Sydney Local Health District

2011 - University of Sydney, Deans Early Researcher Award at the Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Theme meeting

2009 - Australian Menopause Society Young Investigator Award

2006 - Society for Reproductive Biology Young Investigator Award

Publications:

Dr Walters currently has >45 peer-reviewed publications, in in top ranking journals including PNAS, Endocrinology, Human Reproduction Update and Biology of Reproduction.

Funding:

Dr Walters has a strong track record in successful category 1 competitive grant funding with the award of an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) starting 2012 (DE120100796: $375,000 over 3 years), three NHMRC Project Grants as CIA starting 2010 (#632678: $520,500 over 3 years), 2012 (APP1022648: $493,515 over 3 years) and 2019 (APP1158540: $756,560 over 4 years), two other NHMRC Project Grants as CIC, starting 2011 (APP1008160: $408,374 over 3 years) and CIF, starting 2018 (APP1139763: $808,340 over 4 years) and an ARC Discovery grant as CIC, starting 2018 ($510,580 over 3 years).

Professional contributions:

Dr Walters has acted as referee for national (NHMRC project grants and review panel for the NHMRC Early Career Fellowships, and ARC Discovery Projects and Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards) and international (Medical Research Council , UK, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Wellbeing of Women, UK and Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation, USA) grants. She has also served as an invited reviewer for 19 peer-review journals, including PNAS, Human Reproduction, Endocrinology, Biology of Reproduction, Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Fertility and Sterility, PLOS ONE and Reproduction. She is currently Program Organising Committee Co-Chair for the annual conference (2016-18) and councillor (on-going since 2013) for the Society for Reproductive Biology. She is also a member of the NHMRC CRE in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Training Committee.

School:

Discip Obstetrics&Gynaecology

Phone:

(02) 9385 2706

Email:

k.walters@unsw.edu.au

University role:

Associate Professor

Research

Socio-economic Objective (SEO) tags:

Women's Health

Field of Research (FOR) Tag:

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Teaching & Supervision

I am available to supervise:

Yes

Areas of supervision:

ILP, Honours, Masters or PhD in the area of female reproductive function and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Dr Walters is currently recruiting a PhD student to investigate the development of mechanism-based interventions for polycystic ovary syndrome. If you are interested, further information is available here or by contacting Dr Kirsty Walters.

Supervision keywords:

ovary

androgens

polycystic ovary syndrome

female infertility

Media

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/UNSWWomensChildrensHealth/

Twitter Account:

https://twitter.com/KirstyWalters7

Publications related to this Person

Book Chapters

Findlay J; Dunning K; Gilchrist R; Hutt K; Russell D; Walters K, 2018, 'Follicle selection in mammalian ovaries', in The Ovary, Academic Press, London, England, pp. 3 - 21, https://www.elsevier.com/books/the-ovary/leung/978-0-12-813209-8

Journal articles

Stepto NK; Moreno-Asso A; McIlvenna LC; Walters KA; Rodgers RJ, 2019, 'Molecular Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Unraveling the Conundrum in Skeletal Muscle?', The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, vol. 104, pp. 5372 - 5381, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2019-00167

Burchall GF; Pouniotis DS; Teede HJ; Ranasinha S; Walters KA; Piva TJ, 2019, 'Expression of the plasminogen system in the physiological mouse ovary and in the pathological polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) state', Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, vol. 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12958-019-0472-0

Bertoldo MJ; Caldwell ASL; Riepsamen AH; Lin D; Gonzalez MB; Robker RL; Ledger WL; Gilchrist RB; Handelsman DJ; Walters KA, 2019, 'A hyperandrogenic environment causes intrinsic defects that are detrimental to follicular dynamics in a PCOS mouse model', Endocrinology, vol. 160, pp. 699 - 715, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2018-00966

Walters KA; Eid S; Edwards MC; Thuis-Watson R; Desai R; Bowman M; Marren AJ; Handelsman DJ, 2019, 'Steroid profiles by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of matched serum and single dominant ovarian follicular fluid from women undergoing IVF', Reproductive BioMedicine Online, vol. 38, pp. 30 - 37, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.10.006

Tarulli GA; Laven-Law G; Shehata M; Walters KA; Denis IM; Rahman MM; Handelsman DJ; Dean NR; Tilley WD; Hickey TE, 2019, 'Androgen Receptor Signalling Promotes a Luminal Phenotype in Mammary Epithelial Cells', Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia, vol. 24, pp. 99 - 108, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10911-018-9406-2

Bertoldo MJ; Uddin GM; Youngson NA; Agapiou D; Walters KA; Sinclair DA; Morris MJ; Gilchrist RB, 2018, 'Multigenerational obesity-induced perturbations in oocyte-secreted factor signalling can be ameliorated by exercise and nicotinamide mononucleotide.', Hum Reprod Open, vol. 2018, pp. hoy010, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoy010

Upton DH; Walters KA; McTavish KJ; Holt J; Handelsman DJ; Allan CM, 2018, 'Reproductive failure in mice expressing transgenic follicle-stimulating hormone is not caused by loss of oocyte quality', Biology of Reproduction, vol. 98, pp. 491 - 500, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy015

Walters KA; Gilchrist RB; Ledger WL; Teede HJ; Handelsman DJ; Campbell RE, 2018, 'New Perspectives on the Pathogenesis of PCOS: Neuroendocrine Origins', Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 29, pp. 841 - 852, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2018.08.005

Walters KA; Edwards MC; Tesic D; Caldwell ASL; Jimenez M; Smith JT; Handelsman DJ, 2018, 'The Role of Central Androgen Receptor Actions in Regulating the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis', Neuroendocrinology, vol. 106, pp. 389 - 400, http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000487762

Walters KA; Bertoldo MJ; Handelsman DJ, 2018, 'Evidence from animal models on the pathogenesis of PCOS', Best Practice and Research: Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 32, pp. 271 - 281, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2018.03.008

Bertoldo MJ; Walters KA; Ledger WL; Gilchrist RB; Mermillod P; Locatelli Y, 2018, 'In-vitro regulation of primordial follicle activation: challenges for fertility preservation strategies', Reproductive BioMedicine Online, vol. 36, pp. 491 - 499, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.01.014

Walters KA; Handelsman DJ, 2018, 'Role of androgens in the ovary', Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, vol. 465, pp. 36 - 47, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2017.06.026

Camlin NJ; Jarnicki AG; Vanders RL; Walters KA; Hansbro PM; McLaughlin EA; Holt JE, 2017, 'Grandmaternal smoke exposure reduces female fertility in a murine model, with great-grandmaternal smoke exposure unlikely to have an effect', Human Reproduction, vol. 32, pp. 1270 - 1281, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dex073

Rodgers RJ; Reid GD; Koch J; Deans R; Ledger WL; Friedlander M; Gilchrist RB; Walters KA; Abbott JA, 2017, 'The safety and efficacy of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for fertility preservation in women with early breast cancer: A systematic review', Human Reproduction, vol. 32, pp. 1033 - 1045, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dex027

Caldwell ASL; Edwards MC; Desai R; Jimenez M; Gilchrist RB; Handelsman DJ; Walters KA, 2017, 'Neuroendocrine androgen action is a key extraovarian mediator in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 114, pp. E3334 - E3343, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1616467114

Walters KA; Edwards MC; Jimenez M; Handelsman DJ; Allan CM, 2017, 'Subfertility in androgen-insensitive female mice is rescued by transgenic FSH', Reproduction, Fertility and Development, vol. 29, pp. 1426 - 1426, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rd16022

Shankara-Narayana N; Zawada S; Walters KA; Desai R; Marren A; Handelsman DJ, 2016, 'Accuracy of a Direct Progesterone Immunoassay', JOURNAL OF APPLIED LABORATORY MEDICINE, vol. 1, pp. 294 - 299, http://dx.doi.org/10.1373/jalm.2016.020123

Solon-Biet SM; Cogger VC; Pulpitel T; Heblinski M; Wahl D; McMahon AC; Warren A; Durrant-Whyte J; Walters KA; Krycer JR, 2016, 'Defining the Nutritional and Metabolic Context of FGF21 Using the Geometric Framework', Cell Metabolism, vol. 24, pp. 555 - 565, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.001

Walters KA; Simanainen U; Gibson DA, 2016, 'Androgen action in female reproductive physiology', Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, vol. 23, pp. 291 - 296, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000246

Walters KA, 2016, 'Androgens in polycystic ovary syndrome: Lessons from experimental models', Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, vol. 23, pp. 257 - 263, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000245

Walters KA; Handelsman DJ, 2016, 'Androgen receptor splice variants and polycystic ovary syndrome: Cause or effect?', Asian Journal of Andrology, vol. 18, pp. 442 - 443, http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/1008-682X.161600

Upton DH; Walters KA; Allavena RE; Jimenez M; Desai R; Handelsman DJ; Allan CM, 2016, 'Global or Granulosa Cell-Specific Pten Mutations in Combination with Elevated FSH Levels Fail to Cause Ovarian Tumours in Mice', Hormones and Cancer, vol. 7, pp. 316 - 326, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12672-016-0272-3

Wang X; Gook DA; Walters KA; Anazodo A; Ledger WL; Gilchrist RB, 2016, 'Improving fertility preservation for girls and women by coupling oocyte in vitro maturation with existing strategies', Women's Health, vol. 12, pp. 275 - 278, http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/whe-2016-0019

Handelsman DJ; Jimenez M; Singh GKS; Spaliviero J; Desai R; Walters KA, 2015, 'Measurement of testosterone by immunoassays and mass spectrometry in mouse serum, testicular, and ovarian extracts', Endocrinology, vol. 156, pp. 400 - 405, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2014-1664

Caldwell ASL; Eid S; Kay CR; Jimenez M; McMahon AC; Desai R; Allan CM; Smith JT; Handelsman DJ; Walters KA, 2015, 'Haplosufficient genomic androgen receptor signaling is adequate to protect female mice from induction of polycystic ovary syndrome features by prenatal hyperandrogenization', Endocrinology, vol. 156, pp. 1441 - 1452, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2014-1887

Walters KA, 2015, 'Role of androgens in normal and pathological ovarian function', Reproduction, vol. 149, pp. R193 - R218, http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-14-0517

Upton DH; Fuller ES; Colvin EK; Walters KA; Jimenez M; Desai R; Handelsman DJ; Howell VM; Allan CM, 2015, 'Granulosa Cell-Specific Brca1 Loss Alone or Combined with Trp53 Haploinsufficiency and Transgenic FSH Expression Fails to Induce Ovarian Tumors', Hormones and Cancer, vol. 6, pp. 142 - 152, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12672-015-0222-5

Solon-Biet SM; Walters KA; Simanainen UK; McMahon AC; Ruohonen K; Ballard JWO; Raubenheimer D; Handelsman DJ; Couteur DGL; Simpson SJ, 2015, 'Macronutrient balance, reproductive function, and lifespan in aging mice', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 112, pp. 3481 - 3486, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1422041112

Caldwell ASL; Middleton LJ; Jimenez M; Desai R; McMahon AC; Allan CM; Handelsman DJ; Walters KA, 2014, 'Characterization of reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine features of polycystic ovary syndrome in female hyperandrogenic mouse models', Endocrinology, vol. 155, pp. 3146 - 3159, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2014-1196

Gao YR; Walters KA; Desai R; Zhou H; Handelsman DJ; Simanainen U, 2014, 'Androgen receptor inactivation resulted in acceleration in pubertal mammary gland growth, upregulation of ERα expression, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in female mice', Endocrinology, vol. 155, pp. 4951 - 4963, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2014-1226

Cheng XB; Jimenez M; Desai R; Middleton LJ; Joseph SR; Ning G; Allan CM; Smith JT; Handelsman DJ; Walters KA, 2013, 'Characterizing the neuroendocrine and ovarian defects of androgen receptor-knockout female mice', American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 305, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00263.2013

Walters KA; Allan CM; Handelsman DJ, 2012, 'Rodent models for human polycystic ovary syndrome', Biology of Reproduction, vol. 86, http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.111.097808

Simanainen U; Gao YR; Walters KA; Watson G; Desai R; Jimenez M; Handelsman DJ, 2012, 'Androgen resistance in female mice increases susceptibility to DMBA-induced mammary tumors', Hormones and Cancer, vol. 3, pp. 113 - 124, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12672-012-0107-9

Walters KA; Middleton LJ; Joseph SR; Hazra R; Jimenez M; Simanainen U; Allan CM; Handelsman DJ, 2012, 'Targeted loss of androgen receptor signaling in murine granulosa cells of preantral and antral follicles causes female subfertility', Biology of Reproduction, vol. 87, http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.112.102012

McNamara KM; Harwood DT; Simanainen U; Walters KA; Jimenez M; Handelsman DJ, 2010, 'Measurement of sex steroids in murine blood and reproductive tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry', Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, vol. 121, pp. 611 - 618, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2010.02.001

Walters KA; Simanainen U; Handelsman DJ, 2010, 'Molecular insights into androgen actions in male and female reproductive function from androgen receptor knockout models', Human Reproduction Update, vol. 16, pp. 543 - 558, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmq003

Walters KA; McTavish KJ; Seneviratne MG; Jimenez M; McMahon AC; Allan CM; Salamonsen LA; Handelsman DJ, 2009, 'Subfertile female androgen receptor knockout mice exhibit defects in neuroendocrine signaling, intraovarian function, and uterine development but not uterine function', Endocrinology, vol. 150, pp. 3274 - 3282, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2008-1750

Walters KA; Allan CM; Handelsman DJ, 2008, 'Androgen actions and the ovary', Biology of Reproduction, vol. 78, pp. 380 - 389, http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.107.064089

McTavish KJ; Jimenez M; Walters KA; Spaliviero J; Groome NP; Themmen AP; Visser JA; Handelsman DJ; Allan CM, 2007, 'Rising follicle-stimulating hormone levels with age accelerate female reproductive failure', Endocrinology, vol. 148, pp. 4432 - 4439, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2007-0046

Walters KA; Allan CM; Jimenez M; Lim PR; Davey RA; Zajac JD; Illingworth P; Handelsman DJ, 2007, 'Female mice haploinsufficient for an inactivated androgen receptor (AR) exhibit age-dependent defects that resemble the AR null phenotype of dysfunctional late follicle development, ovulation, and fer', Endocrinology, vol. 148, pp. 3674 - 3684, http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2007-0248

Walters KA; Armstrong DG; Telfer EE, 2007, 'Bovine mural granulosa cells, and not the oocyte, are the major source of proteases capable of IGFBP-2 degradation', Animal Reproduction Science, vol. 98, pp. 365 - 370, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.04.047

Walters KA; Binnie JP; Campbell BK; Armstrong DG; Telfer EE, 2006, 'The effects of IGF-I on bovine follicle development and IGFBP-2 expression are dose and stage dependent', Reproduction, vol. 131, pp. 515 - 523, http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00682

Thomas FH; Walters KA; Telfer EE, 2003, 'How to make a good oocyte: An update on in-vitro models to study follicle regulation', Human Reproduction Update, vol. 9, pp. 541 - 555, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmg042

Conference Papers

Narayana N; Walters K; Zawada S; Bonifacio M; Marren A; Handelsman DJ, 2016, 'Accuracy of direct progesterone immunoassay vs liquid chromatography mass spectrometry', in Clinical Endocrinology, Wiley, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting of the Endocrine-Society-of-Australia, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA, 23 - 26 August 2015

Walters K; Caldwell A; Edwards M; Handelsman D, 2016, 'Unravelling the role of extra- and intra-ovarian androgen receptor-mediated mechanisms driving the development of ovarian polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) traits', in HUMAN REPRODUCTION, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, pp. 416 - 417, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000453583904008&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Simanainen U; Walters K; Watson G; Gao G; Handelsman DJ, 2010, 'Androgen Receptor Is a Tumor Suppressor in DMBA-Induced Mammary Tumors', in Endocrine Reviews, Oxford University Press (OUP), San Diego, CA, presented at 92nd Meeting and Expo of the Endocrine Society (ENDO 2010), San Diego, CA, 19 - 22 June 2010

Walters K; Binnie J; Campbell K; Armstrong D; Telfer E, 2004, 'The effects of IGF-1 on follicle development and IGFBP-2 expression in bovine antral follicles in vitro.', in Biology of Reproduction, 37th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-the-Study-of-Reproduction, Univ British Columbia, Vancouver, CANADA, presented at 37th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-the-Study-of-Reproduction, Univ British Columbia, Vancouver, CANADA, 01 - 04 August 2004

Conference Abstracts

Narayana NS; Walters KA; Zawada S; Bonifacio M; Marren A; Handelsman DJ, 2016, 'Accuracy of direct progesterone immunoassay vs liquid chromatography mass spectrometry', in CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, WILEY, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA, Vol. 84, pp. 40 - 40, presented at Annual Scientific Meeting of the Endocrine-Society-of-Australia, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA, 23 - 26 August 2015, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000372310400106&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Simanainen U; Walters KA; Watson G; Gao YR; Handelsman DJ, 2010, 'Androgen Receptor Is a Tumor Suppressor in DMBA-Induced Mammary Tumors.', in ENDOCRINE REVIEWS, ENDOCRINE SOC, San Diego, CA, Vol. 31, presented at 92nd Meeting and Expo of the Endocrine Society (ENDO 2010), San Diego, CA, 19 - 22 June 2010, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000281989401057&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Working Papers

Bertoldo M; Listijono D; Ho W-HJ; Riepsamen A; Jin X; Selesniemi K; Goss D; Mahbub S; Campbell J; Habibalahi A, 2019, NAD+ repletion rescues female fertility during reproductive ageing, http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/721985

School of Women's and Children's Health

Associate Professor Kirsty Walters

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