Professor Verna's scholarly work focuses on the academic achievement of gifted children. She has numerous studies dealing with parental processes as it relates to the academic achievement of elementary through high school age students. She is the primary investigator of a team of international scholars who are researching the productivity of Math, Chemistry and Physics Olympians. Her articles have appeared in The Journal of Secondary Gifted , TEMPO, Gifted and Talented International, The Journal of Research in , SYSTEM, and TESL Canada Journal. She is currently researching the social factors that affect achievement in 4th grade students in New York City, Italy, and China. Dr. Verna has served as Chapter Counselor of Kappa Delta Pi, the Honor Society. Before joining the faculty of St. Francis College, Dr. Verna was an Administrator and Teacher in the NYC public school system.