Reinhart-King's research has helped understanding of cancer progression. She has monitored disease progression at the molecular, cellular and tissue level. Her analytical strategy combines cellular imaging with mechanical measurements, histology and biochemical assays. She showed how the cellular matrix stiffens after tumor formation, promoting tumor growth and impacting the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The lab has also shown that metastatic cancer cells leaving tumors travel in clusters and "draft" off each other through tissue to preserve energy as they form new tumor sites. Reinhart-King has also investigated
diabetic retinopathy. This condition can cause blindness in diabetic patients. In 2021, Reinhart-King became President Elect of the
Biomedical Engineering Society. She was made Senior Associate Dean for Research at
Vanderbilt University in 2022. She has been involved with science policy, serving as an expert advisor to the
federal government of the United States on biotechnology and biomanufacturing. In 2024, Reinhart-King joined
Rice University as the John W. Cox Professor of Bioengineering and chair of the Bioengineering department. == Awards and honors ==