Merlisa Kemp | The Medical School | University of Exeter

Dr. Merlisa C. Kemp

Senior Lecturer in Medical Imaging

M.Kemp2@exeter.ac.uk

South Cloisters 1.39

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

Overview

Merlisa is a Senior Lecture in Medical Imaging, with specialized expertise in Vascular ultrasound imaging. She has a keen interest in research related to vascular health.

Prior to joining the University of Exeter, Merlisa served as Head of the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Bellville campus, Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, she has also taught students enrolled for the BSc Diagnostic Ultrasound programme at CPUT and served as examiner of Masters and Doctoral theses and reviewer for Masters and Doctoral research proposals. She has over 20 years of clinical experince in ultrasound and worked in the private and public health sectors in South Africa, Ireland and the UK. Currently, she is appointed as Adjunct Scholar at CPUT and is involved in supervising and co-supervising Masters and Doctoral/PhD students at CPUT and University of Exeter. She has recently been appointed as the Programme Lead for the BSc Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) programme and the Fitness to Practise lead for Medical Imaging in the Department of Health and Care Professions, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. She is also a member of the University of Exeter Medical School and Health and Care Professions Research Ethics Committee.

Qualifications

Doctor of Radiography (DRad)
MTech Radiography
BTech Diagnostic Ultrasound
ND Diagnostic Radiography
Teaching Development Programme (TDP) certificate

Research

Research interests

Vascular disease and disability in multiple sclerosis
Cardiovascular, peripheral and extracranial vascular diseases

GRANTS/FUNDING

Conference Committee (ConfCom)-University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG), CPUT

National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka grant, South Africa

UCDG-Improvement of Qualification Programme (IQP) Grant, CPUT

University Research Fund (URF), CPUT

Teaching Development Grant, CPUT

Research projects

Rooibos and Heart heatlh
Vascular disease in HIV patients on HAART

Publications

Journal articles

Kemp MC, Johannes C, van Rensburg SJ, Kidd M, Isaacs F, Kotze MJ, Engel-Hills P (2023). Disability in multiple sclerosis is associated with vascular factors: an ultrasound study. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 54(2), 247-256. Abstract.

Kemp MC (2023). Head of Department (HOD): to be or not to be?. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 54(2), S8-S9.

Johannes C, Moremi KE, Kemp MC, Whati L, Engel-Hills P, Kidd M, Toorn RV, Jaftha M, Van Rensburg SJ, Kotze MJ, et al (2023). Pathology-supported genetic testing presents opportunities for improved disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis. Personalized Medicine, 20(2), 107-130. Abstract.

Jaftha M, Van Rensburg SJ, Johannes C, Kemp M, Engel-Hills P, van Toorn R, Kotze MJ (2022). Corpus callossum (CC) thickness is inversely associated with disability (EDSS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). South African Journal of Psychiatry, 32

Davidson F, Bester D, Kemp M (2022). Vascular disease in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in South Africa. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 53(4), S25-S25.

van Rensburg SJ, van Toorn R, Erasmus RT, Hattingh C, Johannes C, Moremi KE, Kemp MC, Engel-Hills P, Kotze MJ (2021). Pathology-supported genetic testing as a method for disability prevention in multiple sclerosis (MS). Part I. Targeting a metabolic model rather than autoimmunity. Metabolic Brain Disease, 36(6), 1151-1167. Abstract.

van Rensburg SJ, Hattingh C, Johannes C, Moremi KE, Peeters AV, van Heerden CJ, Erasmus RT, Zemlin AE, Kemp MC, Jaftha M, et al (2021). Pathology-supported genetic testing as a method for disability prevention in multiple sclerosis (MS). Part II. Insights from two MS cases. Metabolic Brain Disease, 36(6), 1169-1181. Abstract.

Herman N, Jose M, Katiya M, Kemp M, le Roux N, Swart-Jansen van Vuuren C, van der Merwe C (2021). ‘Entering the world of academia is like starting a new life’: a trio of reflections from Health Professionals joining academia as second career academics. International Journal for Academic Development, 26(1), 69-81. Abstract.

Nelson M, isaacs F, Hassan S, Kidd M, Cronje F, Van Rensburg SJ (2014). Prevalence of abnormal bloodflow patterns and effects of biochemistry and lifestyle factors on the major neck vessels in patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the Western Cape, South Africa. Medical Technology SA, 28, 26-33.

Chapters

Kemp M, Davidson F (2020). Challenges experienced by lecturers and students at a University of Technology transitioning from classroom based to online Teaching and Learning activities as a result of COVID-19. In Holmes K, Hogg P (Eds.) Reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists, 113-116.

Conferences

Kemp M, Katiya ME, Peter Y, Davidson NG, Kemp M (2022). Induction programmes for Newly Appointed Academics in higher education: Are they meeting the expectations?.. SAAHE Conference. 27th - 30th Jun 2022.

Kemp M (2021). An Association between carotid blood flow velocities, intima media thickness and disability in multiple sclerosis. 3rd International Conference on Neurovascular and Neurodegenerative Disorders. 8th - 9th Nov 2021.

Kemp M (2021). Carotid intima media thickness, blood flow velocity and disability in multiple sclerosis. ISRRT World Congress. Abstract.

Kemp M, Hattingh C, Kotze MJ, Engel-Hills P, Isaacs F, Johannes C, Jaftha M, Bouwens C, van Rensburg SJ, Kemp M, et al (2019). Rare finding of diffuse carotid artery disease, IJV stenosis and brain pathology in a patient with Multiple Sclerosis: case report. Biological Psychiatry Congress. 20th - 23rd Sep 2019.

Kemp M, Isaacs F, Engel-HIlls P, Kidd M, Kotze MJ, van Rensburg SJ, Kemp M (2017). Ultrasound investigation of risk factors for extracranial vascular pathology in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Biological Psychiatry Congress. 14th - 17th Sep 2017.

External Engagement and Impact

Awards

2018 -Teaching Excellence Award: Departmental award in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, CPUT, South Africa

2018 - Best Poster award at the 2018 Postgraduate Conference, SARETEC, CPUT, South Africa

External Examiner Positions

2024: Examiner - Master of Health Sciences in Radiography, Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa

2023: Examiner - Master of Radiography, Central University of Technology (CUT), South Africa

2022 - 2023: Examiner - Master of Medical Imaging and Radiation, PhD Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

2021-2022: Examiner for the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Ultrasound Special Board exam

2021: Examiner - PhD Anatomy, University of Pretoria, South Africa

2020-2021: Examiner - Doctor of Radiography and Master of Health Sciences in Radiography, Durban University of Technology, South Africa

External positions

Adjunct Scholar - Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, CPUT, South Africa

External Moderator - Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa

Teaching

Merlisa teaches students on the BSc Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) and the MSc Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging Degree Apprenticeship programmes.

She is module lead for Medical Imaging Applications (PAM 2013) and the module co-lead for Anatomy and Physiology for Radiographers (PAM1019).

Modules

2023/24

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