Dr. Felicia Casanova is a medical sociologist whose research examines how environmental change, displacement, and health system disruptions influence health outcomes and continuity of care among highly mobile and underserved populations. Her work focuses on climate and environmental health, health systems resilience, HIV, cancer, and community-engaged approaches to advancing health equity.

Dr. Casanova joined Rutgers University in 2026 as Core Faculty in the Center for Climate, Health, and Healthcare at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research and as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing. She earned bachelor’s degrees from the University of Florida and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Miami. She completed an NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

Her interdisciplinary research integrates mixed methods, social network analysis, implementation science, and community-engaged approaches to understand how environmental and social disruptions affect health and access to care. Much of her work focuses on people living with HIV, cancer survivors, immigrants, agricultural workers, and communities affected by natural disasters. Dr. Casanova is the Principal Investigator of an NIMHD K01 Career Development Award examining continuity of HIV care in Puerto Rico following natural disasters and other disruptive events. Through her research, she seeks to strengthen health system resilience, improve health care delivery, and advance health equity in communities facing environmental and structural challenges.

Outside of her research, Dr. Casanova enjoys engaging in cultural, artistic, and community activities.