My area of specialization is the history of immigration,race and ethnicity in the U.S. My research has focused on Italian immigration. My recent book, "A New Language, A New World: Italian Immigrants in the United States, 1890-1945" (University of Illinois Press, 2009) is an inquiry into the experience of language for Italian immigrants and their children. Currently, I am working on a comparative study of Italian American and African American relations in urban and suburban New Jersey. I also teach courses in Italian American history, as well as in women's history. I am a member of the Board of Advisers for the Joseph and Elda Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America. I am also on the Advisory Board for Women and Gender Studies.

History of immigration, race and ethnicity in the U.S., 19th/20th centuries
Italian American history
U.S. women's history
History of language in the U.S.