Professor Derek Santos (BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in the Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Physiotherapy, Podiatry & Radiography Division. He is also an Associate member of the Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research.
- Overview
- Research Interests
- Research Publications
- Teaching & Learning
- Activities & Awards
Prof Derek Santos graduated at Queen Margaret University in 1998 with a 1st class BSc (Hons) in Podiatry, he then received his PhD 2006 where he developed and validated an experimental system to assess the effects of plantar foot pressure on skin blood flow. Derek’s interest in musculoskeletal conditions affecting the foot and ankle led him to undertake and complete his MSc Podiatric Surgery in 2015. His other area of interest is diabetes where he contributes to postgraduate teaching and research. Derek has also completed several other postgraduate courses including intra and extra-articular joint injections; kinesiotaping; and acupuncture in the lower limb.
Derek has lectured at QMU since 2003 and before this he worked as Audit Coordinator for Public Health, NHS Borders Health Board, Scotland. Derek also has clinical commitments at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Within the area of Research Ethics Derek was past Convener of the QMU Research Ethics Committee. In addition, Derek was an experienced expert member of the NHS Research Ethics Committee for the South-East of Scotland from 2010-2019. He is an external reviewer for various medical journals and for research grant applications for the NHS National Institute of Health Research Evaluation, Trials and Studies.
Derek is an Honorary Senior Research Associate where he collaborates with the University of Gibraltar. Within the NHS he was appointed as an Honorary Podiatrist in Orthopaedics where he conducts collaborative research with the Department of Orthopaedics, NHS Lothian. He also is actively collaborating in research with the Department of Podiatric Surgery, Northampton NHS Foundation Trust.
In 2018 Derek co-founded and is co-director of the Health Design Collective (Community Interest Company) where the focus of work has been to develop footwear for clients with Footdrop. His novel product design led to Runners-up in the prestigious Converge Challenge Social Enterprise Award in 2018. The innovative shoe design has received various other awards and funding leading to patents and now progressing to production and supply.
Finally, Derek is an experienced external examiner both at post-graduate and doctoral level. He was external examiner for the School of Medicine, University of Dundee, UK and for the School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, UK.
Affiliations/Memberships to Other Organisations:
- Royal College of Podiatry, UK
- Health Care and Professions Council
Professional Social Media:
Research/Knowledge Exchange Centre Membership:
- Associate member of the Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research
Derek is the research lead for Podiatry and his research interests include musculoskeletal conditions, diabetes, ethics, gait analysis, and blood flow in the lower limb. He is active in these areas of research supervising student projects at undergraduate and postgraduate level in addition to other funded studies (both at national and international level). More recently Derek has been collaborating with industry.
Active Research Interests:
- Musculoskeletal
- Diabetes
- Blood flow
- Gait analysis and management
Research Methods:
- Experimental and quasi-experimental studies (eg RCTs)
- Research ethics
Primary teaching areas at undergraduate level include the Master of Podiatry, BSc (Hons) Podiatry and MSc Podiatry (pre-registration). At postgraduate level Derek contributes to the MSc Advancing Practice in Podiatry and MSc Theory of Podiatric Surgery as well as university wide postgraduate education. D
Program Leader:
MSc Advancing Practice in Podiatry; MSc Theory of Podiatric Surgery
