Dr. Buxton is interested in environmental and other influences on maternal and child health. She is interested in a number of the major risk factors such as lower reproductive tract infection, environmental pollution and nutrition, which are reported to contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, her research focuses on the various independent and joint relationships among environmental, dietary factors and preterm birth, the mechanistic pathways by which these associations occur, and how they may be modified. Her research has also focused on understanding patterns of inflammation in “normal” pregnancy. Additionally, she is interested in utilizing novel approaches including precision health methodology to understand the determinants of preterm birth and the measures that are important for identifying persons at risk of preterm birth. Dr. Buxton’s long-term goals include advancing a research program that actively explores the causes of preterm birth, and developing/implementing a community intervention program that focuses on reducing the impact of preterm birth.