Dr. Adelstein's research focuses on improving psychosocial well-being and reducing distress in the young adult oncology population, including their primary caregivers. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, her long-term research goal is to develop age-appropriate interventions to meet the needs of young adults with cancer throughout the cancer trajectory, from diagnosis through end of life, or survivorship, as well as their caregivers. She has an ongoing focus on technology-based research methodology as well as technology-based intervention development. Her dissertation research examined the effects of an online gratitude journaling intervention for young adults with advanced-stage cancer. Her postdoctoral training focused on creating digital legacy-making products for parents with babies in the NICU.

In addition to her research, Dr. Adelstein has extensive clinical experience working with young adults and in oncology. Prior to pursuing her doctoral degree, she worked as an oncology nurse practitioner at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA with a focus on the malignant hematology and bone marrow transplant populations. Most recently she worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Norton Cancer Institute in Louisville, KY providing psychiatric and supportive care to a variety of patients in the cancer center and their caregivers.