Her research considers maternal mortality and the impacts of structural racism on community health.

[citation needed] Kozhimannil was a doctoral student at Harvard University, where she studied physics and mental maternal health services.

[3] Kozhimannil studies the health policies that impact healthcare, quality and outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth.

[4][5] In particular, she has evaluated the increasing rates of maternal mortality in marginalised communities in the United States.

[3] Kozhimannil has also evaluated the role of Doula care during childbirth of women on Medicaid in Minnesota, and showed that they can decrease the chances of a caesarean section, result in better birth outcomes and save money.