Lisette V. Alcantara, MD, PhD, MSc

Biography

Dr. Alcantara is a physician-scientist with nearly 18 years of clinical practice and 8 years of experience in translational and population-based research. Her work focuses on infectious diseases, vaccine response, and health systems in global and underserved settings. She currently serves as a Research Assistant Professor in a Department of Population Health, contributing to a multidisciplinary research portfolio centered on emerging infectious diseases, transmission dynamics, medical ecology, environmental exposures, climate-related diseases, and health systems. In this role, she leads and supports the design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of clinical, community-based, and health services research.

Her work integrates clinical medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health to address health inequities across HIV, COVID-19, other infectious diseases, and chronic conditions. She is dedicated to improving outcomes for underserved and high-risk populations, including immunocompromised individuals, people with disabilities, and communities in rural and low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Alcantara brings extensive experience in grant development, regulatory-compliant research, and scholarly dissemination. Her work is further distinguished by a strong record of international collaboration, leadership in public health programming, and a sustained commitment to academic mentorship.

Driven by a commitment to translating science into real-world impact, Dr. Alcantara has worked across diverse countries, cultures, and healthcare systems. These experiences have shaped her adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and collaborative approach. She is skilled at translating complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable insights and thrives in cross-functional environments where innovation, strategy, and meaningful problem-solving intersect.

Education

• 2009: M.D., Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• 2017: M.Sc., Health Systems Administration & Health Finances, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, USA
• 2026: Ph.D., Translational Biomedical Science, University of Rochester, NY, USA

Work History

• 2026 – Present: Research Associate Professor of Population Health, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University. Boca Raton, FL
• 2026 - 2026: Postdoctoral Associate - Department of Pediatrics - Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Rochester, NY
• 2019 – 2025: Translational Graduate Researcher - University of Rochester Clinical & Translational Science Institute, NY
• 2018 – 2023: Information Analyst & Academic Detailer, OB-GYN Research Department, University of Rochester, NY
• 2012 – 2016: Professor of Family Medicine, Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), Santo Domingo, DR
• 2009 – 2016: Physician, Ministry of Public Health of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, DR

Scholarly Activity

Research Interests

• Translational medicine
• Infectious disease
• Population health sciences
• Environmental exposure

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Alcantara Sanchez, L.; Alvarez Guerra, E.; Li, D.; King, S.M.; Hilchey, S.P.; Zhou, Q.; Dewhurst, S.; Fiscella, K.; Zand, M.S. Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 and Common HCoVs in Hemodialysis Patients and Transplant Recipients: Data from the Dominican Republic. Vaccines 2025, 13, 965. doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13090965
• Alcantara Sanchez, L.; Alvarez Guerra, E.; Li, D.; King, S.M.; Hilchey, S.P.; Zhou, Q.; Dewhurst, S.; Fiscella, K.; Zand, M.S. Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Transplant Recipients and Hemodialysis Patients: Data from the Dominican Republic. Vaccines 2024, 12, 1312. doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12121312
• Zand MS, Spallina S, Ross A, Zandi K, Pawlowski A, et al. (2024) Correction: Ventilation during COVID-19 in a school for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). PLOS ONE 19(11): e0313792. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313792
• Dye, Timothy D. PhD; Eckert, Cody; Levandowski, Brooke A. PhD; Farovitch, Lorne PhD; Alcantara, Lisette MD, MS; Pressman, Eva K. MD. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and COVID-19 Vaccine Skepticism: A Global Assessment [ID 2683475]. Obstetrics & Gynecology 143(5S):p 5S, May 2024. doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0001012912.23849.39
• Zand MS, Spallina S, Ross A, Zandi K, Pawlowski A, et al. (2024) Ventilation during COVID-19 in a school for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). PLOS ONE 19(4): e0291840. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291840
• Dye, T., Alcantara, L., Lyu, H., Siddiqi, S., Sharma, S., Pressman, E., & Luo, J. (2022). Oppression, COVID vaccination, and vaccine sentiments in a global sample. Annals of Epidemiology, 75, 82. doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2022.08.029
• Barbosu, C. M., Alcantara, L., Sharma, S., Marriott, J., Babiy, O., Deamer, R., Kindlon, M., & Dye, T. (2022). The Implementation of a State-wide Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy as a Best Practice in Primary Care Practices Using an Academic Detailing Approach: Lessons Learned from New York State, United States. International journal of MCH and AIDS, 11(1), e539. doi.org/10.21106/ijma.539
• Dye TDV, Barbosu M, Siddiqi S, Pérez Ramos J, Murphy H, Alcantara L, Pressman E. An analytical cross-sectional analysis of science, health care system, and government effectiveness perception and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and hesitancy in a global sample: an analytical cross-sectional analysis. BMJ Open 2021;11:e049716. doi.org/0.1136/bmjopen-2021-049716
• Dye TD, Alcantara L, Siddiqi S, et al. Risk of COVID-19-related bullying, harassment, and stigma among healthcare workers: an analytical cross-sectional global study. BMJ Open 2020;10:e046620. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046620
• Dye, T. D., Alcantara, L., Siddiqi, S., Barbosu, M., Sharma, S., & Panko, T. (2020). Risk of COVID-19-related bullying, harassment, and stigma among healthcare workers: an analytical cross-sectional global study. BMJ Open. 2020; 10: e046620. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(9), 3090.
• Alcantara Sanchez, L., Álvarez Guerra, E., Caamaño, A., Zorrilla, C., Morales Billini, F. (2023). A study of the immune response to COVID-19 as an example of translational medicine and international research collaboration. Revista Donación y Trasplante. VOL. XII, AÑO XII - Órgano De Difusión Del Instituto Nacional De Coordinación De Trasplante.  incortrd.com/publicaciones/revista-donacion-y-trasplante/