Joyce K Anastasi

Joyce K. Anastasi, PhD, DrNP, FAAN, is the Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing and founding director of the Special Studies in Symptom Management Program at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is a leading clinical scientist in symptom management, with a focus on non-invasive interventions for chronic conditions, particularly in persons living with HIV. Her current NIH-funded R01 trial investigates chronic distal sensory peripheral neuropathy in this population. Prior to NYU, she was the Helen F. Pettit Endowed Professor at Columbia University, where she directed the Integrative Therapies in Primary Care Program and the Center for AIDS Research.

Education:

• DrNP in Nursing, Columbia University School of Nursing
• PhD in Nursing, Adelphi University
• MA in Nursing, New York University
• BSN in Nursing, Wagner College
• Oriental Medicine/Acupuncture, New York College for Wholistic Health, Education & Research

Joyce Anastasi's research centers on symptom science, particularly in HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and diabetes. She is a pioneer in integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially acupuncture and moxibustion, into evidence-based nursing practice. Her work emphasizes patient-centered, non-pharmacological approaches to managing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and neuropathy. She has developed curricula in herbs, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements, and has contributed significantly to methodological rigor in complementary medicine research.

Her recent publications (2020–2025) reflect a strong trend in clinical research methodology, including pragmatic trials, cluster RCTs, cohort studies, and quasi-experimental designs. These articles, often co-authored with Bernadette Capili, serve as educational resources for nurses, emphasizing evidence-based practice. Concurrently, her clinical research continues to explore symptom burden in chronic diseases, with a focus on integrative therapies and patient engagement in trials.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (1997)
• Columbia University Presidential Teaching Award (2007)
• Distinguished Researcher Award, Eastern Nursing Research Society (2011)
• Research Article of the Year, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (2013)
• Distinguished Alumni Award in Research, Columbia University (2015)
• Multiple awards for excellence in acupuncture and symptom management research

Joyce Anastasi has served as a NIH Study Section Reviewer and on the advisory board for the Institute of Medicine’s report on complementary and alternative medicine. She has advised on numerous clinical trials and research initiatives, particularly in symptom assessment and integrative therapies. Her professional memberships span leading organizations in nursing, HIV care, acupuncture, and holistic health, reflecting her interdisciplinary leadership. She has not served in any formal advisory or grant leadership roles beyond what is implied by her research and review activities.

She leads the Special Studies in Symptom Management Program at NYU, a research initiative focused on developing and testing non-invasive interventions for chronic symptoms. Her team frequently collaborates on clinical trials involving acupuncture, moxibustion, and dietary interventions, particularly for gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms in chronic diseases like HIV and diabetes. Her work bridges traditional healing practices with modern clinical research standards.