Her main research areas are catalytic three-phase reactions, especially transformations of renewable raw materials to valuable products using homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzyme catalysts as well as applications for ionic liquids, such as wood dissolution and CO2 capture. Ass. prof. Mäki-Arvela is an author of more than 350 peer-reviewed publications, including several review papers in the field of wood dissolution with ionic liquids and transformation of wood biomass to fine and specialty chemicals. Furthermore, she is the author of several conference publications and patents. Her research has been acknowledged by several research and patent prizes. Ass. prof. Mäki-Arvela has served as a board member of European Federation of Catalysis Societies, President of the Nordic Catalysis Society and President of the Finnish Catalysis Society.