Her research focuses on ancient economies of the Maya area, with recent emphases on household archaeology and the urban organization of Mayapán, the largest Maya political capital of the Postclassic Period. She is the author/editor of three books, including In the Realm of Nachan Kan (2000), Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica (2000, with Michael E. Smith), and Ancient Maya Political Economies (2002, with David A. Freidel). She has served as Principal Investigator on two major archaeological research projects, including the Belize Postclassic Project (1996–2002) and the Economic Foundations of Mayapan Project (2001–present, supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society). Currently, her research at Mayapán examines occupational heterogeneity, affluence, and modes of governance within the city's neighborhoods.