Dr. Fitzgerald designed and conducted original in-field research focused on economic and community development taking place in two Central American countries, the results are published as her dissertation The Unintended Consequences of Humanitarian Aid; she is also the author of the book If I Had a Water Buffalo, 2nd publication 2014, with the Forward written by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate.  Marilyn has conducted formal project evaluations in Romania, Indonesia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, New York City and Detroit, Michigan.