Making the Science Move  

Jovita Newman is the Facilities Coordinator for the Health & Exercise Science Department at Wake Forest University. In addition, she is the project manager of The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study (TOPS), supported by Arthritis Foundation. Other studies have shown that weight loss and exercise are some of the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) in weight-bearing joints, like knees. TOPS is examining whether weight loss and exercise can help prevent OA from developing in the first place.  

Tell us about your background.   

I was born in Lexington, KY, and lived in upstate New York briefly before my parents relocated to Charlotte, NC, when IBM relocated a number of its employees to North Carolina. I am the oldest of three siblings. Growing up in Charlotte, I was able to see it transform over the years. I was there to see the creation of the Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Panthers. Summers were typically spent at Myrtle Beach, SC, or visiting family in North Carolina (where my grandparents eventually relocated), New York and New Orleans.  

In school, my interests were in sports and science, so I knew I wanted to do something combining the two. As a child, I planned to work as a sports physical therapist for the Charlotte Hornets.   

I attended Wake Forest University and majored in Health and Exercise Science. It was during that time that I began to get involved with research. I interned for the Arthritis, Diet, and Activity Promotion Trial (ADAPT), with Stephen Messier as principal investigator. (Dr. Messier is also principal investigator for TOPS.) I also worked part-time for the nutrition center at a hospital, then I attended East Carolina University to obtain my master’s degree in exercise physiology. I was a graduate research assistant under Dr. Paul DeVita in the biomechanics lab. After completing my degree, I returned to Wake Forest University to work for Dr. Messier in a study of glucosamine and arthritis. I was hired to work in the biomechanics lab; however, because it was a double-blinded study, I was able to assist with other aspects of the study, such as intervention. During the course of the study, the project manager left and I assumed her role.  

Q: What drew you to the field of science and research, and arthritis research in particular?   

My interests in science and sports ignited that passion. In junior high and high school, I participated in a medical career exploration rotation program and was drawn to the physical therapy department. I enjoyed working with the patients, many of whom were recovering from surgeries and had knee problems. I loved testing theories and solving problems and enjoyed helping people meet their wellness goals. 

Q: What do you hope to accomplish professionally?   

I enjoy assisting with the design of trials, and especially with troubleshooting logistics and operations. In addition to continuing that work I would like to serve as a consultant on other trials as they are developed. 

Q: Could you describe what you do with TOPS?  

I am the project manager for the trial over both the Winston-Salem site as well as the full study. I have my hands in all aspects of the study. I get to have some patient interaction through testing visits or intervention, which I enjoy, and I also get to spend a lot of my time working with staff, problem solving and collaborating with our various sites and investigators.  

On a daily basis, I'm typically managing the participant flow from start to finish. A huge part of my time is spent on recruitment. Once participants are enrolled. I monitor their participation by focusing on attendance, weight loss and retention. Additionally, I assist the staff with their job duties serving as a trainer, a resource for staff and a liaison between the sites, our various clinics and extended team members, like our imaging and data teams, physicians, Institutional Review Board (IRB) members and funding agencies. 

Q: Do you expect TOPS to affect patients either directly or indirectly?  

Both. Participants in our studies have benefited greatly from our various intervention programs, whether that's losing weight, increasing mobility, decreasing pain or gaining important knowledge that improves their well-being. Overall, the research we've done has benefited the general public. The information we've learned has been disseminated so that physicians can adopt some of these practices into their standard of care, thus benefiting others. 

Q: What are you excited about in OA?  What should patients be excited about?   

I'm excited to see where OA research will continue to go. I like that the treatment of OA is multifaceted so that individuals can pick a method that is best for them. Participants should be excited about the TOPS trial because of the focus on prevention. If the hypothesis proves to be true, we can change the trajectory of the development of OA. People could possibly extend their high quality of life. 

Q: What else would you like to share about your involvement with arthritis research? 

Participating in research provides a chance to learn innovations in disease treatment and prevention. I've heard many of our participants say they wish they had known studies like this existed sooner. The research we conduct gives people a chance to get to know others, gain benefits for themselves and advance our knowledge of the disease. I'm excited to see what next studies will be coming down the line.