Her research interests include economic models of decision-making under uncertainty, greenhouse gas mitigation polices in agriculture, cropland use changes due to the changing economic conditions such as the expansion of ethanol production and the ensuing changes in agricultural non-point source pollution. Dr. Kurkalova has led or co-led a number of multidisciplinary research projects focused on identifying the optimal placement of soil and water conservation practices on agricultural landscapes and the economic means of achieving the optimal placement.