Dr. Molinario’s research interests focus broadly on understanding pro-environmental behaviors, political activism, extremism and radicalization, migration intentions, and intergroup conflicts. She studies these topics from a motivational perspective that involves the analysis of needs and goals, social identity, values, and social norms. In her Motivation and Social Change Lab, she uses multiple methods (e.g., qualitative, correlational, experimental) and she collaborates with several scholars in the US and around the world. Currently, she is Co-PI of a project on climate change migration funded by the US Department of Defense. She was also recently awarded by the Polish National Science Foundation to conduct research on the effects of threats on pro-social vs anti-social behaviors.