Dr. Nerissa Naidoo completed her undergraduate and postgraduate education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, under the co-mentorship of Ghent University, Belgium through the INSPIRE project of the Erasmus Mundus Programme. In her study of the subacromial architecture, she devised the computational delto-fulcral triangle model to evaluate normal and pathological shoulder types. Her research contributions pertain to the degenerative and biomechanical aspects of three-dimensional musculoskeletal models, anatomical anomalies and medical education. Dr Nerissa also has a long-standing affiliation with the Golden Key International Honour Society as the previous South African representative on the Council of Student Members and as the past President of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Chapter.
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor – Anatomy
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE
Replacement lecturer – Anatomy
Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Curator – Anatomy
Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Module Coordinator - Cytology and Histology
Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Research Assistant – Anatomy
Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Demonstrator – Anatomy
Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Professional Education
Ph.D in Anatomy
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Basic Medical Sciences in (Hons – Anatomy)
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Basic Medical Sciences
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Teaching
- Instructional delivery of Anatomy courses (viz. Neuroanatomy; Head, Neck and Back; Trunk and Embryology; Upper and Lower Limbs; Cytology and Histology; Ethics and Law) to undergraduate medical, medical science and allied health science (viz. nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, communication pathology, pharmacy, dental therapy) students.
- Instructional delivery of Anatomy Research course to postgraduate medical science students in the honours year.
- Postgraduate supervision of Honours, Masters and Ph.D students.
Honors and Awards
Next Generation Women Leaders
McKinsey & Company Virtual Event, France
Inspiring Fifty South Africa 2018 Nominee
Initiative of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa
Hanne Boon Medical Education Award: 1st Runner-Up
Anatomical Society of Southern Africa
NRF Competitive Grant for Rated-Researchers (Co-investigator)
National Research Foundation, South Africa
Research Development Grant
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
International Summit Travel Grant
Golden Key International Honour Society, Atlanta, Georgia
Ph.D Mobility Scholarship
INSPIRE Project of Erasmus Mundus Programme, Ghent, Belgium
NRF Innovation Doctoral Scholarship
National Research Foundation, South Africa
College of Health Science Bursary
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
International Scholar Laureate Program Nominee
Virginia
Dean’s Commendation
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Publications
Membership of Professional Bodies and Associations
- Golden Key International Honour Society
- Anatomical Society of Southern Africa
- African Forum for Research and Education in Health
- World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
- Volunteers.ae
Research Interest
- Degenerative and biomechanical aspects of three-dimensional musculoskeletal models: Subacromial complex and lumbar spine.
- Anatomical anomalies in arterial trees.
- Medical education: Blended instructional models in lesson plan dissemination.
- Epigenetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Clinical and Community Service
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- MBRU Pulse Day: Anatomy Lead, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences,UAE, November 2018 – Present
- REACH Club: Advisor, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE, April 2018 – Present
- Basic Statistics for Anatomy Research Workshop: Facilitator, Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, July 2018
- Senior Citizen Awareness Seminars in association with DAFTA (Durban Association of the Aged): Facilitator, South Africa, June – July 2017
- Golden Key International Honour Society, 2011 – present
Executive positions held:
- South African Representative: Council of Student Members, June 2016 – May 2017
- Central President: University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2015
- Vice-President: Westville Campus Chapter, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2014
- General Secretary: Westville Campus Chapter, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2013
- Durban Youth Council: Secretary, Durban, South Africa, December 2006 – December 2007