Núñez-Gaunaurd, Annabel Graduate Faculty

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biography

  • Areas of Expertise:
    Physical Activity, Functional Outcome Measures, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obesity, Community-Based Research, Physical Therapy,

    Faculty Biography:
    Dr. Annabel Núñez-Gaunaurd is a Tenure-Earning Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Miami, where her research focused on the impact of obesity on motor function and participation in school-aged children. With over 20 years of experience in school, clinical, and community-based physical therapy research, her work focuses on optimizing health outcomes through accessible and evidence-based interventions.

    She is a former NHLBI Obesity Health Disparities (OHD-PRIDE) cohort fellow and served as Principal Investigator on its associated Small Research Program grant examining physical activity co-participation among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Currently, she leads an NIH-NIMHD FIU-RCMI-funded telehealth study exploring physical activity, mobility, and quality of life in adults with ASD, utilizing wearable technology and remote physical assessments. She also serves as Co-Investigator on a Foundation for Physical Therapy Research grant focused on national rehabilitation service access for emerging adults with ASD.

    Dr. Núñez-Gaunaurd is an active educator and mentor, teaching in FIU’s DPT program and supporting undergraduate, DPT, and Ph.D. students. She is a peer reviewer for several high-impact journals and was recently appointed to the ACSM Exercise Is Medicine—Underserved and Community Health Committee (2024–2027).

    Education:
    Ph.D., University of Miami
    M.S.P.T., Florida International University
    B.S., Florida International University

    National Leadership & Recognition:
    ▪ ACSM EIM Committee, 2024–2027
    ▪ OHD-PRIDE Fellow, NHLBI

research interests

  • Physical Therapy; Functional Outcome Measures; Obesity; Physical Activity; Autism; Health Outcome Research; Wearable Trackers/Devices;
    Remote/Telehealth; Health Promotion, Prevention, & Wellness; Primary Care Physical Therapy.

selected scholarly works & creative activities

full name

  • Annabel Nunez-Gaunaurd

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