[3] Bilbo's graduate work was largely involving the importance of social and environmental factors in the regulation of sex specific and seasonal changes in immune response.

[6] In 2002, Bilbo published a first author paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society showing the effect of shortening photoperiods on the immune response of Siberian hamsters.

[15] During her time at Duke, Bilbo investigated neuroimmune interactions in brain development,[1][16] and the effect of neonatal infection on glial cell biology and immune functions later in life.

[23] Following these findings, Bilbo wrote a review paper highlighting the understudied connections between the immune system, social behavior, and dopaminergic circuitry.

[24] Bilbo returned to Duke in July 2019 to hold the title of Haley Family Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience while still collaborating with the Lurie Center and other researchers in Boston.