Robert Newton

Professor Robert Newton, PhD, DSc, AEP, CSCS*D, FACSM, FESSA, FNSCA is Professor of Exercise Medicine and Deputy Director of ECU’s Exercise Medicine Research Institute that he established in 2004.

In 2020, he was appointed as a Vice-Chancellor Professorial Research Fellow in the Exercise Medicine Research Institute. In 2018, Professor Newton received the career achievement award from the Cancer Council WA and in 2019, was named the Western Australia Premier’s Scientist of the Year. In 2021, The University of Queensland awarded him a Higher Doctorate (DSc) for his research into exercise oncology. The title of his thesis is “Exercise medicine as neoadjuvant, adjuvant and rehabilitative therapy for cancer”.

Professor Newton has published over 950 scientific papers including 520 refereed scientific journal articles, 450 conference abstracts and papers, three books, 17 book chapters and has a current Scopus h-Index of 90 with his work being cited over 27,500 times. As of 2023, Professor Newton has attracted over $45 Million in competitive research funding.

Professional Memberships

• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American College of Sports Medicine
• Clinical Oncology Society of Australia
• Exercise and Sports Science Australia
• Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
• National Strength and Conditioning Association

Research Areas and Interests

Current major research directions include:

• exercise medicine as neoadjuvant, adjuvant and rehabilitative cancer therapy to reduce side-effects and enhance effectiveness of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
• the influence of targeted exercise medicine on tumour biology and exercise medicine for reducing decline in quality of life, strength, body composition and functional ability in cancer patients.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Science, The University of Queensland, 2021.
• Doctor of Philosophy, Southern Cross University, 1998.
• Bachelor of Human Movement Studies (Hons), The University of Queensland, 1986.
• Master of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, 1986.