ACS Ready Room with Stirling Professional Non-CE

Joel Alcantara

DC, PhD

Joel Alcantara, PhD, DC is the Research Director for ICPA. Dr. Alcantara was born in the Philippines and grew up in Calgary, Alberta. Prior to attending chiropractic college, he was trained in chemistry-biochemistry and cellular, molecular and microbial biology at the University of Calgary. Upon graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in 1995, he was given a full-time faculty appointment at his alma mater in the Research Department. In 2024, he received his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Southern Cross University. Currently, Dr. Alcantara holds the distinct position of Chair of Pediatric Research at Life Chiropractic College West. His research at Life West complements his research activities for the ICPA. With a collaboration formed between ICPA and Life West, Dr. Alcantara leads his research team to investigate quality of life in children under chiropractic care and biomechanics of the pediatric spine. He is a seasoned researcher in chiropractic care with numerous publications and conference presentations. Dr. Alcantara has been instrumental in implementing the Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) at ICPA and involving ICPA members in publishing research on chiropractic care. He is credited with the success and growth of the largest Practice-Based Research Network in Chiropractic, which conducts projects in North America, Australia, and Europe. In addition to assisting candidates in accomplishing the research requirement for their certification, Dr. Alcantara is an instructor for the ICPA Certification Program and teaches the seminar Research: Evidence-Informed Practice.