Prof. Dr. Melissa Tracy

Organisation
University at Albany School of Public Health

Biography

Melissa Tracy, PhD, joined the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University at Albany School of Public Health as an Assistant Professor in September 2014. Dr. Tracy's research uses novel analytic and computational methods to investigate social factors influencing trajectories of mental health and substance use, as well as policies and interventions to reduce health disparities. Her current research projects include the development of an agent-based model to simulate interventions aimed at preventing violence transmission across different types of social relationships (e.g., from parent to child, between romantic partners, between peers) at different stages of the life course (e.g., early childhood, school age, adolescence, adulthood). In addition, Dr. Tracy leads evaluation projects for New York State (NYS) agencies, including the NYS Office of Mental Health and NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. She is particularly interested in providing research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students considering careers in public health.