Elizabeth Bell

Elizabeth Bell is an Associate Professor-in-Residence at the University of California, Los Angeles, affiliated with the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. She also serves as the manager of the ion probe laboratory.

Education

• B.S. in Geology
• Ph.D. in Geochemistry

Her research focuses on the early Earth, particularly the first half billion years of its history, which lacks a confirmed rock record. She investigates events such as the Moon's formation, magma ocean dynamics, and the origin of terrestrial life. Her methodology involves analyzing detrital zircon to infer the composition of ancient crusts, including those >4 billion years old. She specializes in geochronology and geochemistry of accessory minerals, utilizing ion microprobe technology for high-resolution isotopic analyses of solid samples.

As laboratory manager, she oversees the operation of the ion probe facility, which supports micro-analysis techniques for geological research at UCLA.