About

I am a research scientist at Boston University’s School of Public Health.  I strive to create work that bridges data science and sociology.  I draw heavily upon sociological theory in developing pathways for exploration, and find ways of using novel sources of social data to explore these trends. 

Much of my work leverages digital data - primarily, data from Twitter. Due to the richness of our digital lives, social data is everywhere.  It is my job as a sociologist to seek these data and translate them into beneficial insight for the social world. In doing so, I explore the benefits and methodological/ethical challenges of conducting social research using data not designed with social researchers in mind.

In addition to exploring the use of digital data, I am interested in how context influences wellness. Much of my teaching and research explores the spatial and social complexity of social determinants of health. I work with investigators across disciplines in understanding how place and health are linked.

I am an avid R user, have co-led seminars for both basic R usage and accessing APIs using R, and have been active in R user groups in both Seattle and Boston. Let me make you a visualization using ggplot2 and you’ll be hooked, too.

Aside from research, my interests include but are not limited to: oil painting, reading memoirs, canvas sneakers, achieving mobile self-sufficiency through the art of urban biking, Belgian beer, bluegrass, and un-ironically still wearing ironic graphic tees.

View my resume

Contact: 

ncesare@bu.edu

Find me elsewhere on the internet!

Twitter: @nlcesare

GitHub: ninacesare