Implementation Scientist & Global Health Researcher
PhD in Social Work and MSPH in Population, Family, and Reproductive Health with expertise in implementing and evaluating evidence-based interventions for children and youth in resource-limited settings. Driven by lived experience as a childhood cancer survivor and committed to advancing global child health equity. Seeking to establish a leading implementation science research program focused on pediatric catastrophic diseases, combining methodological expertise with a deep personal commitment to advancing health equity for children globally.
Dissertation on human security as an implementation outcome; examining the conflict-related predictors and spatiotemporal diffusion dynamics of attacks on aid workers and denial of humanitarian access
Boston College 2018-22
Public Health, Master of Science (MSPH)
Dept of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health
Concentrating in maternal and child health epidemiology, conflict and health, and humanitarian assistance; implementation science training, practicum funded by the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health
Johns Hopkins University 2016-18
Health Policy, Bachelor of Science (BS)
College of Health and Human Development
Clinical research on stress, neuroendocrine/immune functioning, and appetitive behaviors; experimental study on social exclusion and health with mentors in the Department of Biobehavioral Health
Pennsylvania State University 2012-16
African Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
College of Liberal Arts
Thesis examining the public health effects and demographic implications of conflict-related sexual violence in the DRC
Pennsylvania State University 2012-16
Global Health, Minor
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Independent qualitative research study exploring unmet needs for information and support related to late effects of pediatric cancer among Tanzanian patients and caregivers
Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences 2015-16
International Baccalaureate
Higher level diplomas in Environmental Systems, Discrete Math, and Psychology; thesis exploring the ethical implications and public health impact of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Diploma Programme 2012
Specialized Training
Implementation Science
BRIDGE Program IS Fellow, Research Program on Children & Adversity, JHU Center for Global Health, Olin College of Engineering
Applied Mixed Methods
Applied methods in global mental health, community-engaged partnership research, and advanced qualitative techniques
Quantitative Methods
Multilevel regression modeling, structural equation modeling, ML algorithms, psychometric theory, advanced geo- and biostatistical methods
Global Health Practice
Coursework and applied studies in mental health nursing, midwifery, international law, and first aid for severe trauma
Professional Experience
Dr. Antonaccio has conducted implementation science research across multiple global settings, focusing on mental health and psychosocial support for children in resource-limited and conflict-affected areas, broadly, and Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular.
2018-22
Doctoral Researcher
Boston College School of Social Work Research Program on Children & Adversity
2022-23
Researcher
Int'l Institute for Computing & Society United Nations University
2023-present
Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Research Associate, BRIDGE Program Implementation Science Fellow
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior Brown University Alpert Medical School
Research Interests
Implementation Science
Designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based intervention
Global Child Health
Advancing health equity for children and families in resource-limited settings
Mixed Methods
Combining advanced qualitative and quantitative approaches for rigorous research
mHealth Technologies
Co-designing and testing mobile technology for health interventions and supervision
Spatial Epidemiology
Analyzing the spatiotemporal dynamics of health outcomes and intervention contexts
Selected Publications
Fear, Distress, and Perceived Risk Shape Stigma Toward Ebola Survivors: A Prospective Longitudinal Study in Sierra Leone
Task-sharing to promote caregiver mental health, positive parenting practices, and violence prevention in vulnerable families in Sierra Leone: a pilot feasibility study
Johns Hopkins Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health
$25,000
PFRH Scholarship
Johns Hopkins Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health
$15,000
MCH Training Grant
Johns Hopkins Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health
$5,000
Catalyst Fellowship
Boston College Center for Social Innovation
$5,000
Carolyn A. Thomas Fellowship
Boston College School of Social Work
Selected Conference Presentations
Spatiotemporal diffusion of violent attacks on aid workers in Eastern DRC, 2018-23
Society for Implementation Research Collaboration 2024
Hacking the Sustainable Development Goals—Digital Technologies for Strategic Planning
United Nations SDG Open Innovation Camp 2023
Cybersecurity and women's activism in Southeast Asia: A six-country study
Asian Association of Social Psychology 2023
Teaching Experience
Boston College
Instructor:
Strategic Planning for Public & Non-Profit Organizations
Ethical Design for Social Impact
Innovation through Design Thinking
Teaching Assistant:
Introduction to Regression Analysis
Social Innovation
Program Evaluation
Research Methods
Pennsylvania State University
Teaching Assistant:
World Population Diversity
Technical Skills & Competencies
Implementation Science
EPIS, ADAPT-ITT, ADDIE and other theories, models, and frameworks
Hybrid study designs
Implementation outcome assessment
Strategy development
Methodologies
Mixed methods research
Qualitative analysis
Advanced statistical learning
Human-centered design
Technical Proficiencies
R, Stata, Mplus, Python
MaxQDA
ArcGIS, QGIS, MapBox, GeoJSON
Qualtrics, RedCap
Microsoft Office, G-Suite
Tana
Personal Journey & Mission
Childhood Cancer Survivor
Dr. Antonaccio is a two-time childhood cancer survivor, an experience that has profoundly shaped her research focus and commitment to health equity.
JAMA Oncology Editorial
"On trauma, resilience, and survival: Lessons from fifteen years of pediatric cancer and remission" (2020) shares her personal experiences and perspective on survivorship.
Driven by lived experience, Dr. Antonaccio is committed to advancing global child health equity, particularly for vulnerable children and families in resource-limited settings.
Implementation Science Vision
Seeking to establish a leading implementation science research program focused on pediatric catastrophic diseases, combining methodological expertise with a deep personal commitment to improving outcomes for children worldwide.