Dr. Valencia’s primary research interests involve the understanding and effects of pain modulatory system in the development of musculoskeletal chronic pain where she has published more than 20 accepted peer review publications. She is also interested in the biopsychosocial models in chronic pain development. She is currently looking at the relationship between central pain mechanisms and sociocultural factors, specifically she is interested in understanding the potential effect of culture and family support in the development of chronic pain and the relationship with central pain mechanisms.