Her research career has focused on mucosal immunity, vaccines, immunogenetics and antibiotic alternatives. Dr. Lillehoj developed the first set of commercialized mouse monoclonal antibodies detecting chicken lymphocytes, constructed the first chicken intestinal cDNA microarray which has been of seminal importance in national and international poultry genomics research and developed and commercialized many novel antibiotic alternative strategies. Her research has resulted in more than 404 original papers, 20 book chapters, and 13 national and international patents. She has been awarded more than $ 20 million in research funding, including 8 CSREES NRI, BARD, IFASA, and Food Safety Initiative grants, and 45 formal collaborations (CRADAs) with private industry. In addition, she has served on numerous editorial boards, national grant panels, award and technical committees, and chaired multiple sessions at national and international meetings. Dr. Lillehoj holds guided the research of 130 junior scientists from 13 different countries. Her accomplishments have been recognized by the BARC Technology Transfer Award (1998), the ARS Technology Transfer Award (1999), the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Technology Transfer Award (1999), the Helen Cecil Leadership Award (2001), Pharmacia/Upjohn Animal Health Achievement Award (2001), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Senior Scientist of the Year Award (2003), the ARS Outstanding Scientist of the Year Award (2004), Merck Achievement Award (2006), the Levine P.P Award (2006), the Pfizer Animal Health (Embrex) Fundamental Science Award (2007), Beltsville ARS Technology Transfer Award (2008), and Phibro Animal Health Award (2011). Dr. Lillehoj was selected to receive 2014 Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist by the American Association of Veterinary Immunologist. Dr. Lillehoj was inducted into the ARS Hall of Fame in September 2014 and is the winner of 2015 Presidential Rank Award. In 2015, she has been selected as the winner of the American Service Medal for Career Achievement Award.