Dr. O’Neil’s research sits at the intersection of the history of science, medicine, and bioethics, with a particular focus on how scientific knowledge about human development shapes public health, policy, and ethical decision-making. Her work has extensively examined the history and biological impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure, including fetal alcohol syndrome, translating complex developmental science into accessible, publicly available resources.
More broadly, her scholarship explores how scientific knowledge is produced, communicated, and applied in ways that influence health outcomes and societal responses to risk. This includes work on historical health inequalities, science communication during public health crises, and the ethical dimensions of emerging biomedical practices.
Across her research, Dr. O’Neil is committed to making science accessible to broad audiences and to advancing more informed, equitable approaches to health and innovation.