Reno's research, funded by the Department of Energy, is in the area of particle physics phenomenology in general and neutrino physics in particular. Her theoretical work aids in the interpretation of data in particle physics experiments. Reno completed her PhD degree in physics at Stanford University. Prior to coming to the University of Iowa in 1990, she was a visiting faculty member at CINVESTAV in Mexico City. She performed postdoctoral research at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Professor Reno served as department chair from 2009-2014, and her professional service includes service as Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics of the American Physical Society. Named a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2010,  Professor Reno has taught physics courses at every level in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, including introductory courses for majors and non-majors, core courses for graduate students and specialty courses (particle physics) for graduate students.