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.