Native American History; U.S. West history; environmental history; race and ethnicity; history of consumerism; history of engineering and large infrastructure projects. Professor Bsumek's current research explores the impact that large construction projects (dams, highways, cities and suburbs) had on the American West. She is currently working on a book titled " "Damming Zion: Race, Religion, and the Fight for Resources on the Colorado Plateau, 1848-1980."