[1] Grunder is a field geologist who has worked on volcanoes and volcanic rocks in a variety of locations including Nevada,[7] Oregon,[8][9] and the Aucanquilcha region in Chile.

[10] Her early research was on the volcanic rocks[11][12] and hydrothermal system[13] at Calabozos crater in the Chilean Andes.

[18] One of her students described her skills at explaining volcanic processes and noted that she is adept at making geology interesting to a range of people, both inside and outside academia.

[2][20] Her paper on volcanism and gold deposits in hydrothermal material at Yanacocha, Peru[21] won the 2010 Brian J. Skinner award from Society of Economic Geologists.

][23] During a 2009 interview, Grunder noted her first job involved welding band saw blades because her lack of typing skills kept her from receiving a spot as a secretary.