Dr. Jelliffe-Pawlowski and her team work to identify new tools, tests and technologies that can help identify pregnant women and babies at increased risk for preterm birth and associated birth defects and developmental delays. She has a particular focus and interest in work that leverages serum-based markers to help predict outcomes and identify in-roads for intervention. Dr. Jelliffe-Pawlowski has served as a state, national, and international advisor on committees and task forces focused on the early detection and prevention of preterm birth and developmental disabilities. She leads a number of research projects in the United States and Africa.