She published on many different aspects of fungal life, but her special area of research was Iowa's prairie fungi.
[1][4] For making scholarly contributions on each of the major groups of the fungus kingdom, she has been referred to as the Renaissance woman of mycological research.
[3] She was particularly interested in Iowa prairie fungi, their fungal diseases, and their relationship to environmental changes (such as those resulting from fires).
[1] Tiffany also worked to educate the public about fungi, giving talks and leading field trips with amateur mushroom hunters.
In addition, she co-led annual field trips with the university's Botany Club to various national and state parks.
[1] Tiffany was a member of the American Phytopathological Society and of the Iowa Academy of Science, serving as the IAS's first woman president in 1977–78.
[6][7] After her death, a paving stone with her name was placed in the Plaze of Heroines at the entrance to ISU's Center for Women and Politics.