She employs ethnographic research and mixed-methods of data collection and analysis. She specializes in research on hidden populations and subcultures considered deviant, including drug subcultures and new religious movements. She uses an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating her theoretical insights from medical sociology and social policy, and engaging her colleagues from other disciplines to help solve social problems. She has written one book on a new religious movement and currently is working on a book on women and methamphetamine use. Her papers have been published in The Journal of Ethnography, The International Journal of Drug Policy, The Gerontologist, Human Organization, Sociological Inquiry, Journal of Drug Issues, Journal of Applied Social Science and the Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research.