Elizabeth is a field geologist and PhD candidate in Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on describing and dating coastal geologic evidence for earthquakes and other hazards. Her work includes cataloging liquefaction in Seattle, estimating a recurrence interval on the Seattle Fault Zone based on marine geomorphology, and evaluating possible land-level change from coastal sediments on the northwest Washington coast. She is also interested in the use of historic records to extend geologic knowledge in urban landscapes.

She holds a MS in Applied Geosciences from the University of Washington, and received bachelor's degrees in Environmental Science and Math from Indiana University. She has worked with the City of Seattle developing their historic landslide database, and in cultural preservation with the Duwamish Tribe. Her dissertation research is advised by Dr. Juliet Crider and Dr. Brian Atwater.