Elizabeth is responsible for the scientific initiatives of the Perpetual Planet Expeditions programme at the National Geographic Society, ensuring the alignment between research expeditions and NGS environmental conservation and exploration goals. As part of the Perpetual Planet team, she works closely with explorers to identify and develop scientific opportunities across multiple expeditions in ocean and rainforest ecosystems.
She previously led the Oceans and Wildlife programme for World Animal Protection, where she specialised in ocean plastic pollution, marine mammal entanglement, and sustainable fisheries.
In 2015 she co-founded the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, a worldwide coalition dedicated to scientific research on ocean-based plastic pollution and mitigating its effect on marine wildlife, including the rescue of cetaceans and pinnipeds.
She was the lead author of the USAID handbook on ocean plastic pollution mitigation, and has informed policy on ocean health and fisheries management at the State Department, United Nations, and the Food and Agricultural Organization.
Elizabeth received a BA in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, a MSc in Sustainable Development from American University, and an MSc in Marine and Coastal Natural Resources from Universidad para la Paz in Costa Rica.
