She is the Project Director for the Behavioral Economics–Child Nutrition Initiative, conducted by ERS with funding support from USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). As Project Director, she developed and manages a portfolio of extramurally-funded projects that employ behavioral economics theory to identify strategies to increase the effectiveness of USDA school meal programs. The project was awarded the USDA Secretary's Honor Award in 2011. In addition, she conducts research and evaluation studies with a special focus on USDA child nutrition programs and on nutrition education provided through food assistance programs. She represents ERS on the USDA's Human Nutrition Coordinating Committee and other interagency Federal nutrition committees.