A former Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health scholar, she has published extensively and presented nationally and internationally in the areas of women’s health disparities, peripartum health behaviors and decision-making, personalized health care, and health care policy. Dr. Simmons’ current research focuses on innovations in personalized health behavior change interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease among women who experience health disparities due to rural residence, racial/ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status. She has a specific interest in addressing obesity and depression, which often co-occur and serve as gateway conditions to common disorders, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.