Sive received her Bachelor of Science with honors in 1979 from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa with a double major in zoology and chemistry.

Using their 'facial transplant' technique, her group made the unprecedented discovery that the EAD is also a facial signaling center, which guides neural crest cells into the developing face, where they form the jaws and other structures.

Using novel techniques in subtractive cloning, her laboratory defined some of the earliest molecular markers and regulators of the nervous system in both Xenopus and the zebrafish Danio.

[7] As well, Sive identified retinoic acid as a regulator of brain patterning, and demonstrated its activity on expression of hindbrain Hox genes.

[11] Indeed, she pioneered use of zebrafish to study the brain ventricular system—cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that form the body's "third circulation.

"[12] Using a unique drainage assay, Sive identified Retinol Binding Protein in the CSF as essential for survival of brain cells.

Sive pioneered zebrafish as a tool for probing gene function associated with autism spectrum disorders.

[14] Her group has identified genes that interact and contribute to brain dysfunction in the prevalent and serious 16p11.2 deletion syndrome, most recently implicating lipid metabolism in symptomatology.

[31] Sive has laid out the following Vision for the Northeastern College of Science: Across a culture of respect and action towards equity, we are solving the greatest challenges of our planet, with groundbreaking fundamental and applied research.

Through innovative, research-linked, experiential education, our students are empowered to be confident, entrepreneurial, problem-solvers, with flexible skills for a vast set of careers.