Open-water swimming requires athletes to take into account a wide number of variables. Roberta Freitas-Lemos said when she’s in the ocean, temperature fluctuations, murky conditions, and the motion of the waves make it a challenging sport, both physically and mentally. Complexity also characterizes Freitas-Lemos’ research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, where she works at the intersection of tobacco use, health equity, and cancer.