Crystal Martinez is a Graduate Research Assistant for the Institute for Urban Policy Research at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is currently working for Dr. Denise Paquette Boots on a project researching current policies, cases, statistics, and media related to domestic violence. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Criminology at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has previously worked as an Investigator for Child Protective Services and a Prevention Specialist for Mosaic Family Services. She is passionate about education and service to others. She aspires to become faculty at a research university and specialize in family violence, gender studies, and victimology.