About

Elizabeth Kelly, Ph.D., is a water quality scientist specializing in environmental microbiology of recreational water, and urban ecology and restoration. Dr. Kelly’s research focuses on water quality in freshwater, coastal, and estuarine environments, specifically involving the study of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and nutrients. Her publications include studies on Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie Estuary, and the Loxahatchee River; an analysis of the effects on water quality in the Florida Keys before, during, and after a major septic to sewer conversion project; and a study of the impact of beach management strategies on water quality. 
A graduate of the University of Miami, Dr. Kelly has led long-term monitoring projects, and has conducted laboratory analysis on FIB, cyanobacteria, chlorophyll a/pheophytin, and sand and sediment. Through internships with NOAA and USGS, Dr. Kelly has collaborated on studies of molecular source tracking, which is designed to indicate the sources of FIB pollution; and on studies of the hydrological flow of water through the Everglades. 
Dr. Kelly has also collaborated with the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecosystem Restoration (FCE-LTER) program at Florida International University; managed municipal contracts for water quality monitoring, spoken at commissioners’ meetings; worked in community outreach/education; and made recommendations for public policy on best management practices, improved water quality monitoring, and the development of better water quality standards.