Her research research focuses on understanding and treating tobacco dependence, with an additional interest in different populations of smokers who have more difficulty quitting, such as women and smokers with mental illness. In 2014, Dr. Piper received the Russell-Jarvik Young Investigator Award for her contributions to the field from the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Dr. Piper serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.