Baird’s research focuses on plant responses to environmental stresses, particularly pathogen invasion or insect predation. Her current work examines the mechanism underlying resistance of certain types of buffalograss (a native turfgrass) to predation by insects. The research uses a combination of physiological and cytochemical techniques to examine plant responses to insect invasion. She has published several manuscripts and has received grant funding from the National Science Foundation, Valent Biotechnical Division and Uniroyal Biochemical.