Usage of conjunction 'and'

Where it becomes murkier is when using behavioural science and data strays into manipulation.

In this sentence, a form of two verbs on both sides of 'and' in when claused are different.

A former is a -ing form(straying) and a latter is a Present tense verb (strays).

Could someone tell me how could it be possible grammatically, please?


Solution 1:

Here, the phrase "using behavioural science and data" is what strays. The word "using" here is a gerund: a form derived from a verb, but functions as a noun.