She is a board certified biochemical geneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics. Dr. Elsea is an educator, training students at all levels, including high school, college, graduate, medical, and postgraduate students. She also provides clinical consultations and focuses her research efforts toward characterizing Smith-Magenis syndrome and related genetic disorders. Dr. Elsea's lab identified RAI1 as the causative gene for SMS and has targeted research efforts toward understanding the function of RAI1, particularly in the role of RAI1 in circadian rhythm and obesity. Her more recent work assesses caregiver and sibling concerns in families of children with developmental disabilities. (PAB term: 2012-2015)