Professor Newman is a Visiting Professor of Aerospace Medicine in the Centre for Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences. He is an internationally recognised aviation medicine specialist with over 30 years of experience, and his widely cited research (including two textbooks) covers the full spectrum of aerospace medicine & physiology, clinical aviation medicine, aerospace biomechanics and flight safety.

Prior to his academic career, Professor Newman spent 13 years as a military officer and aviation medicine specialist in the Royal Australian Air Force. His RAAF career, in Australia and on exchange in the UK, included three years in support of tactical fighter operations and two years as Chief Instructor at the RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine.