Her main research interests are neuroimmunology and neuroendocrinology, and how the immune and the endocrine systems influence the onset and progression of diseases affecting/disturbing the central nervous system. The bridge between these two main interests presently resides on the barriers of the brain, the focus of this research project. Dr. Palha has also been involved in projects studying how thyroid hormones influence psychomotor development of newborns and how are they implicated in diseases such as schizophrenia.