By Jill Pease
Federico Pozzi, P.T., Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of physical therapy at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, is a 2024 recipient of the university’s Excellence Award for Assistant Professors. The award is one of UF’s top honors for junior faculty.
Pozzi is an expert in biomechanics, movement science and clinical outcome research in patients with musculoskeletal injuries and pain, with a particular focus on rotator cuff injuries. Rotator cuff tears are responsible for millions of Americans seeking treatment every year. Currently, he leads a study investigating the central nervous system’s role in how people with rotator cuff tears perceive pain, and a project examining magnetic resonance biomarkers of muscle degeneration in patients with rotator cuff tears. Both studies are funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
“Dr. Pozzi’s work has immediate potential to impact both the scientific understanding of these injuries and clinical approaches to rehabilitation,” said Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H., dean of the college. “His work is highly collaborative and spans four UF colleges and multiple clinical departments at UF Health Shands Hospital. He has a strong funding record with two NIH R21s and two NIH R01s while an assistant professor. This is simply not typical and points to the importance and scientific rigor of his work.”
In addition to several research publications, Pozzi is the co-author of “The American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists’ consensus statement on rehabilitation for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.” He serves on the editorial boards of the journals Arthritis Care and Research and Archives of Physiotherapy.
Pozzi teaches and co-directs the Functional Anatomy I and II courses in the department of physical therapy, which have earned him exceptionally high instructor evaluations, especially given the challenging material. He currently chairs two dissertation committees and mentors two postdoctoral associates. He has mentored undergraduate and biomedical engineering students as well as UF Health physical therapy staff and sports physical therapy residents.
Pozzi is the recipient of the Early Career Investigator Award in Biomechnics Research from the Biomechanics Special Interest Group of the Academy of Physical Therapy Research, and the Guy Simoneau Excellence in Research Award presented by the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy.
The Excellence Award for Assistant Professors award comes with a one-time allocation of $5,000 in support of research. The award can be used to fund travel, equipment, books, graduate student stipends, and other research-related expenses.