Robert Meertens&refresh | The Medical School

Dr Robert Meertens

Director of Business Engagement and Innovation; Senior Lecturer in Medical Imaging

R.M.Meertens@exeter.ac.uk

2511

+44 (0) 1392 722511

South Cloisters G.22

South Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

Rob has worked as a Medical Imaging Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter since March 2013. Rob currently has a role as Director of Business Engagement and Innovation for the Department of Health and Care Professions. This involves identifiying and consolidating on opportunities for the department to work with industry partners in both education and research.

Rob currently also is Programme Lead for the MSci Medical Imaging integrated pathway, which focuses on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and principles of advanced clinical practice. His role also includes academic tutoring and supervising both postgraduate and undergraduate projects.

Rob has wide ranging research interests around medical imaging, artificial intelligence, and bone health. His PhD investigated the use of near infrared spectroscopy for the investigation of heamodynamic markers in bone in vivo. He continues to collaborate on research involving diagnostics of bone health based on projection radiographs, near infrared spectroscopy, DXA, MRI and quantitative ultrasound based techniques.

Qualifications

PhD (Medical Studies), University of Exeter, 2020
Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, 2015
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Exeter, 2015
MSc (Health Services Research), University of York , 2011
BAppSci (Medical Radiations Technology), Queensland University of Technology, 2003

Career

Previously Rob has accumulated over nine years’ clinical experience as a diagnostic radiographer in both Australia and the UK, including expertise in computed tomography, coronary angiography, neurological angiography and bone mineral densitometry.

Research

Research interests

Rob's research interests and postgraduate supervision primarily focus around diagnostic methods associated with measures of bone health, such as osteoporosis. In particular, this has lead to ongoing work in collaboration with industry around artificial intelligence software and opportunistic screening opportunities.

As a diagnostic radiographer by background, Rob also has a wider interest in medical imaging focussed research and clinical implementation of new diagnostic technologies (both quantitative and qualitative).

Rob also has an interest in educational research including themes around inter professional working, involving service users in healthcare education, simulation education techniques, and peer assisted learning.

Research projects

2022: Principal Investigator: “Opportunistic Fragility Fracture Risk Estimates from Radiographs (OFFER2)”. Contract Research and Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Funding (£412,000 combined total).
2021: Principal Investigator: “Opportunistic Fragility Fracture Risk Estimates from Forearm Radiographs (OFFER1)”. Contract Research (£146,000).
2021: Co-Investigator: Understanding patient views and acceptability of The Opportunistic Fragility Fracture Risk Estimates from Forearm Radiographs Software. (£9,648 internal funding).
2015: College of Radiographers Doctoral Fellowship Grant (Applicant 003): The use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure vascular haemodynamics in human bone tissue in vivo (£24,974).
2011: College of Radiographers Industrial Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS) Research Award funding £500 for dissemination of “A Systematic Review of the Accuracy of Radiographer Reporting in Gastrointestinal Examinations” (Application 051).

Research networks

Rob is a member of the PenRAD Imaging Network Artificial Intelligence Special Interest Group, as well as the College of Radiographers Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group. He is also Associate Editor of the Radiography journal, and an external examiner for Cardiff University.

Publications

Journal articles

Meertens R, Lopez B, Crone B, Gundry M, Metcalfe-Smith E, Gibbard W, Jubb T, Manning F, Scott P, McWilliam R, et al (2024). Development of an opportunistic diagnostic prediction algorithm for osteoporosis and fragility fracture risk estimates from forearm radiographs (The OFFER1 Study). JBMR Plus, 8(4). Abstract.

Morgan H, Knight K, Meertens R (2024). Regional variation in bone mineral density of the distal radius (In press). Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia

Meertens R, Hancock A, Hyde E (2023). Editorial: Patient voice and the patient experience. Radiography (Lond), 29 Suppl 1, S1-S2. Author URL.

Manning F, Mahmoud A, Meertens R (2023). Understanding patient views and acceptability of predictive software in osteoporosis identification. Radiography, 29(6), 1046-1053.

Al-Shaari H, Fulford J, Meertens R, Heales C (2022). A systematic review of repeatability and reproducibility studies of diffusion tensor imaging of cervical spinal cord. British Journal of Radiology

Alghamdi F, Owen R, Ashton REM, Obotiba AD, Meertens RM, Hyde E, Faghy MA, Knapp KM, Rogers P, Strain WD, et al (2022). Post-acute COVID syndrome (long COVID): What should radiographers know and the potential impact for imaging services. Radiography, 28, S93-S99.

Shepherd J, Meertens RM, Lourida I (2022). Radiographer-led discharge for emergency care patients, requiring projection radiography of minor musculoskeletal injuries: a scoping review (vol 22, 70, 2022). BMC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, 22(1). Author URL.

Shepherd J, Lourida I, Meertens RM (2022). Radiographer-led discharge for emergency care patients, requiring projection radiography of minor musculoskeletal injuries: a scoping review. BMC Emerg Med, 22(1). Abstract. Author URL.

Hudson DM, Heales C, Meertens R (2022). Review of claustrophobia incidence in MRI: a service evaluation of current rates across a multi-centre service. Radiography, 28(3), 780-787.

Meertens R, Knapp KM, Strain WD, Casanova F, Ball S, Fulford J, Thorn C (2021). In vivo Measurement of Intraosseous Vascular Haemodynamic Markers in Human Bone Tissue Utilising Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Frontiers in Physiology, 12 Abstract.

Shepherd J, Lourida I, Meertens RM (2021). Radiographer-led Discharge for Emergency Care Patients, Requiring Projection Radiography of Minor Musculoskeletal Injuries: a Scoping Review. Abstract.

Rimes SJ, Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Fox DL (2019). Computed tomography colonography: Radiographer independent preliminary clinical evaluation for intraluminal pathology. Radiography, 25(4), 359-364. Abstract.

van den Heuvel J, Punch A, Aweidah L, Meertens R, Lewis S (2019). Optimizing Projectional Radiographic Imaging of the Abdomen of Obese Patients: an e-Delphi Study. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 50(2), 289-296. Abstract.

Gundry M, Knapp K, Meertens R, Meakin JR (2018). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal projection radiography: a systematic review. Radiography, 24, 165-174. Abstract.

Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2018). Imaging in osteoporosis: an update. Geriatric Medicine, 48, 10-12.

Meertens RM, Casanova F, Knapp KM, Thorn C, Strain WD (2018). Use of Near-Infrared Systems for Investigations of Hemodynamics in Human in Vivo Bone Tissue: a Systematic Review. Journal of Orthopaedic Research

Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Strain WD, Casanova F (2016). The Effects of Lumbar Sympathectomy on Bone and Soft Tissue Haemodynamics of the Leg recorded using Near Infrared Spectroscopy: a Case Report. Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, 3, 28-32.

Meertens R (2016). Utilisation of a peer assisted learning scheme in an undergraduate diagnostic radiography module. Radiography, 22(1), e69-e74. Abstract.

Meertens RM, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2015). A Review of the Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment of Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Volume 5(Number 1-2), 157-162. Abstract.

Knapp K, Meertens R, Ashton LR, Hopkins S (2015). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry beyond bone mineral density measurement: vertebral fracture assessment. Imaging and Oncology for Imaging and Therapy Professionals, 48-53.

Rimes SJ, Fox D, Knapp KM, Meertens R (2015). The development and evaluation of an audit tool for measuring reporting accuracy of radiographers compared with radiologists for intra-luminal pathology detected at computed tomography colonography (CTC). Radiography, 21(3), 264-268. Abstract.

Meertens R, Brealey S, Nightingale J, McCoubrie P (2013). Diagnostic accuracy of radiographer reporting of computed tomography colonography examinations: a systematic review. Clinical Radiology

Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2013). Imaging in Osteoporosis. CME Journal: Geriatric Medicine, 10

Conferences

Lopez BTL, Smith EM, Crone B, Meertens R, Gundry M (2023). A STUDY ASSESSING IBEX BH AS a DEVICE FOR OPPORTUNISTIC SCREENING FOR OSTEOPOROSIS. Author URL.

Meertens R, Gundry M (2023). PRE-CLINICAL STUDY EVIDENCING AN OPPORTUNISTIC SCREENING APPROACH IN SECONDARY CARE TO IMPROVE PRIMARY CARE REFERRAL FOR PATIENTS AT HEIGHTENED FRACTURE RISK. Royal Osteoporosis Society Conference 2023. 13th - 14th Sep 2023.

Meertens R, Gundry M (2023). RADIAL BONE DENSITY MEASUREMENT AS a PREDICTOR OF OSTEOPOROSIS AND 10- YEAR FRACTURE RISK AT THE FEMORAL NECK – AN OPTION FOR TREATMENT DECISIONS WHERE FEMORAL NECK AREAL BONE MINERAL DENSITY CANNOT BE OBTAINED?. Royal Osteoporosis Society Conference 2023. 13th - 14th Sep 2023.

Manning F, Mahmoud A, Meertens R (2023). UNDERSTANDING PATIENT VIEWS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF IBX BH SOFTWARE. Author URL.

Meertens R, Knapp K, Casanova F, Ball S, Strain W (2020). Near infrared spectroscopy for the investigation of vascular haemodynamics in human bone in vivo. Bone Research Society Annual Meeting. 6th - 8th Jul 2020.

Meertens R, Knapp K, Casanova F, Ball S, Fulford J, Merson S, Strain W (2020). Sex-based differences in vascular haemodynamics at the proximal tibia. European Congress of Radiology. 15th - 19th Jul 2020.

Meertens R, Knapp K, Casanova F, Ball S, Fulford J, Merson S, Strain W (2020). Vascular measurements of the proximal tibia and their associations with bone mineral density. European Congress of Radiology. 15th - 19th Jul 2020.

Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Casanova F, Ball SE, Strain WD (2019). Exploring the potential relationships between microvascular haemodynamics and density in bone: a feasibility study utilising near infrared spectroscopy. UKIO 2019. 10th - 12th Jun 2019.

Gundry M, Meertens RM, Meakin JR, Knapp KM (2017). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal plain radiography: a systematic review. Abstract.

Meertens RM, Casanova F, Strain WD, Knapp K, Thorn C (2017). The use of near-infrared systems for investigations of microvascular haemodynamics in human in vivo bone tissue: a systematic review. International Society of Oxygen Transfer to Tissue Annual Meeting 2017. 19th - 23rd Aug 2017.

Meertens R, Knapp K, Strain D, Casanova F (2016). NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY: a POTENTIAL TOOL FOR ASSESSING HAEMODYNAMIC MARKERS OF THE MICROVASCULAR BLOOD SUPPLY WITHIN BONE TISSUE. Author URL.

Meertens R (2016). Peer Assisted Learning in Diagnostic Radiography. SCoR Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research Conference. 25th - 26th Nov 2016.

Al-Rubeyi S, Farah W, Furmully M, Meertens R, Shepherd J, Green D, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2016). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the radiography population: Are we at risk?. Abstract.

Meertens RM (2015). An Evaluation of Service Users as an Educational Resource in an Undergraduate Diagnostic Radiography Module. UKRC 2015. 29th Jun - 1st Jul 2015.