Professor Stiffman’s work focuses on critical issues in child and adolescent mental health, addictions, high-risk behaviors, and services. She is the Director of the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) funded Comorbidity and Addictions Center (CAC), and former associate director of the Center for Mental Health Services Research (CMHSR).

Through these posts she creates and develops the research and training foundation essential for more effective mental health and addictions services in the United States. This work corresponds with the master’s level class on working with adolescents and the doctoral level class on advanced research she teaches. In addition, Professor Stiffman is an active member of the St. Louis community, including her service on various boards and committees of the Jewish Federation.