Lacey Critchley is a Contagion Science Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Network Systems Science and Advanced Computing division at the University of Virginia's Biocomplexity Institute. She received her Ph.D. in Epidemiology and her Master of Public Health from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science Education from the University of Florida. Critchley is a social epidemiologist whose research interests focus on using advanced statistical methodologies for public health research. In addition to academic research, she has worked with various governmental and non-governmental organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization, the United States Peace Corps, and the International Rescue Committee. After nearly a decade of experience in global health work, she returned to academia to pursue the skills necessary to effectively evaluate health disparities and social science research. Her doctoral dissertation used novel methodologies to deconstruct social syndemic variables related to engaging marginalized populations in HIV care. She is excited by the potential data science offers to help advance scientific understanding of modern public health challenges.