Studying larger foraminifers in modern and ancient carbonate systems, Pamela and her students gain insight into environments past and present, as well as effects of human activities on the future of Earth's ecosystems. She has authored/co-authored ~200 scholarly papers; served as thesis or dissertation advisor to >75 students and committee member for >60 others. She received graduate teaching awards from USF, Association for Women Geoscientists, and Sloan Foundation. She is a Fellow of the Paleontological Society and Geological Society of America, and is a research medalist in Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research and Society for Sedimentary Geology.