Lissandra Zanovelo Fogaça

Biography and Expertise of Lissandra Fogaça

Lissandra Fogaça has established herself as a leading voice in the scientific validation of complementary health practices within Brazil’s public health system. Her career is characterized by a seamless blend of clinical experience as a physiotherapist and rigorous academic research. This dual perspective allows her to bridge the gap between practical application and evidence-based policymaking. As a PhD candidate and researcher at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), she dedicates her work to synthesizing complex scientific information into accessible formats for health managers and professionals.

Her work directly aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” By developing Evidence Maps with support from institutions like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Lissandra Fogaça provides a critical service that underpins the Gujarat Declaration’s call for science and evidence. Therefore, her contributions are fundamental to building “Well-being Societies,” a key pillar of the congress motto, by ensuring that integrative health practices are implemented safely and effectively.

Furthermore, her expertise in Gerontology and Mind-Body Therapies adds a crucial dimension to discussions on TCIM’s role across the lifespan. Her research into practices like mindfulness and auriculotherapy offers valuable insights into managing chronic conditions and improving quality of life, particularly for aging populations. This focus reinforces the importance of South-South collaboration in sharing knowledge on sustainable health solutions for shared demographic challenges.

Professional Career

The professional trajectory of Lissandra Fogaça demonstrates a consistent commitment to public service and the advancement of integrative health. Her career began with foundational clinical work and has progressively evolved to encompass high-level research and strategic contributions to national and international health bodies. This path reflects a deep-seated goal to institutionalize evidence-based complementary therapies within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

Each stage of her career has expanded her influence, moving from direct patient care to shaping the evidence base that guides thousands of practitioners. Consequently, her current roles place her at the forefront of integrative health research in Latin America.

• 2022 – Present: PhD Candidate in Collective Health at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), focusing on advancing evidence synthesis in TCIM.
• 2019 – Present: Lead researcher in the development of Evidence Maps on Complementary Therapies, a major collaborative project with CABSin, PAHO/WHO/BIREME, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.
• 2019 – Present: Researcher at the CUIDAR – Complementary Therapy and Health Promote center and the C.A.R.E Evidence Center (EVIPNet) at UNIFESP, contributing to evidence-informed policy.
• Ongoing: Scientific Committee member for Natural Products and Medical Rationalities at the Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSin).
• 2009 – Present: Physiotherapist for the Municipality of São Paulo, maintaining a strong connection to clinical practice in primary healthcare.

Academic Qualifications

Lissandra Fogaça has cultivated a robust and diverse academic foundation that uniquely positions her at the intersection of clinical science, public health, and traditional medicine. Her educational journey is marked by a strategic pursuit of knowledge, systematically building specializations that deepen her understanding of health from multiple perspectives. This multidisciplinary background is essential to the quality and relevance of her research.

Her advanced training in evidence synthesis methodologies, combined with specializations in gerontology and Traditional Chinese Medicine, provides a holistic framework for her work. Therefore, her qualifications are a testament to her comprehensive approach to health and well-being.

• 2022 – Present: PhD Candidate in Collective Health, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP).
• 2020: Master of Science (MSc) in Collective Health, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), with a dissertation on an evidence map of mindfulness in primary care.
• 2014 – 2015: Specialization in Gerontology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP).
• 2011 – 2012: Specialization in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, CBFisio.
• 2010 – 2011: Specialization in Primary Health Care/Family Health, UNASUS/UNIFESP.
• 2002 – 2005: Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy, Methodist University of Piracicaba.

Research and Publications

The research output of Lissandra Fogaça is central to her impact on the field of integrative medicine. Her work is characterized by a focus on high-level evidence synthesis, which involves systematically identifying, evaluating, and mapping existing research to make it useful for decision-makers. She is proficient in methodologies like Scoping Reviews, Evidence Maps, and Metasyntheses, which are critical for translating vast amounts of scientific data into clear, actionable insights.

Her publications in high-impact journals underscore the quality and significance of her research. For example, her 2021 article “Evidence map of mindfulness in primary health care” in BMJ Open provides a vital panoramic view of the available evidence, identifying both established benefits and research gaps. This work is indispensable for health administrators seeking to implement mindfulness programs. Beyond this, her co-authored meta-analysis on auriculotherapy for sleep quality demonstrates her ability to conduct rigorous quantitative synthesis, directly informing clinical practice.

Through collaborative projects such as the “Evidence maps of clinical studies on Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the Americas,” Lissandra Fogaça contributes to a broader understanding of the TCIM landscape in the region. This work fosters South-South collaboration by creating a shared evidence base. Consequently, her research is a cornerstone for building a scientifically credible foundation for TCIM, in full alignment with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy.

Board and Committee Activities

Lissandra Fogaça plays an active role in several influential academic and professional bodies, where her expertise helps shape the future of integrative health in Brazil. Her participation in these committees is a recognition of her standing in the field and provides her with a platform to advocate for evidence-based approaches and high standards in research and practice. These roles are crucial for the strategic development of TCIM.

Her involvement ensures that the perspectives of both researchers and clinicians are integrated into the scientific discourse. Therefore, she contributes significantly to the cohesion and scientific direction of the integrative health community.

• Scientific Committee Member, 3rd WCTCIM: Actively involved in shaping the scientific program of the premier global congress for TCIM.
• Scientific Committee for Natural Products and Medical Rationalities, Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSin): Contributes to the evaluation and promotion of research on natural products and traditional medical systems in Brazil.
• Researcher, CUIDAR – Complementary Therapy and Health Promote: A key member of this research center at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), which is dedicated to studying complementary therapies.
• Researcher, C.A.R.E Evidence Center (EVIPNet): Collaborates with the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet), a global initiative to promote the use of scientific evidence in health policy-making.

Connect with Lissandra Fogaça

For a deeper understanding of the research and academic contributions of Lissandra Fogaça, her professional and scientific profiles are available online. These platforms provide comprehensive lists of her publications, research projects, and academic background. They are valuable resources for students, researchers, and policymakers interested in the field of integrative health and evidence synthesis.

Lattes Curriculum: View Detailed Academic Profile (Brazil)

Google Scholar: View Publications and Citations

ResearchGate: Connect with the Research Community