[2] Lunney then worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the National Institutes of Health within the immunology branch before joining the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service in 1983.

[3] Lunney is recognized internationally for her research accomplishments in swine immunogenetics.

[8] Her subsequent research was on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS),[9] and identifying genetic markers associated with disease resistant pigs.

[10] Lunney was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1998.

[4] Lunney was named a Meritorious Senior Professional in President Biden's 2022 Presidential Rank Awards.