Liz Koifman

Auburn University alumna - B.S. Environmental Sciences

Interested in studying environmental systems through field sampling, lab analysis, GIS, and ecological research, with a focus on turning ecological science knowledge into practical insights.

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Liz Koifman in an orange jacket measuring vegetation during fieldwork
Field research - ecological data - collaborative environmental practice

About

I am a recent Auburn University environmental science graduate interested in how field observations, laboratory methods, and data analysis can help explain environmental processes and support better stewardship decisions. My experience spans forest and fire ecology, paleoecology, soil science, outreach leadership, as well as dance and visual art.

Across my research and creative practices, I am drawn to careful observation and educational community outreach. I enjoy discovering patterns in ecological systems, and communicating my insights so they can be clearly understood.

Liz Koifman smiling in front of a brick building

Education

A rigorous environmental science foundation.

Auburn University Samford Hall at sunset

Auburn University

B.S. Environmental Sciences - GPA 4.0 Graduated May 2026

Ecology & GIS

  • Ecology
  • Forest Ecology
  • Environmental Quality
  • Forest Fire Management
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Soils & Water

  • Basic Soil Science
  • Soil Judging
  • Forest Soils
  • Dynamic Earth
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment and Design

Policy & Conservation

  • Environmental Law
  • Materials for Sustainable Energy Production and Storage
  • Wildlife Conservation History and Law

Chemistry & Microbiology

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Geology

Environmental Science

  • Forest & Paleoecology
  • Environmental Law & Policy
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Soil science
  • Hydrology

Field & Lab Methods

  • Sediment coring
  • Wetland, Prairie, and Forest sampling
  • Sample prep and archive
  • Field records
  • Lab QA/QC

GIS & Data

  • GIS coursework (ArcGIS)
  • Scientific data management
  • Microsoft Office
  • Data visualization/design
  • Python/R

Leadership & Communication

  • Event facilitation
  • Outreach planning
  • Media strategy
  • Graphic design
  • Agency coordination

Experience

A visual journey through my research, leadership, fieldwork and creative experiences.

Liz Koifman participating in a Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Club cleanup
Helping out with regular stream clean up outreach. The club adopted a section of Parkerson Mill Creek to maintain and has removed over a hundred pounds of trash thus far.

May 2023 - May 2026

Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Club

Secretary and Member

  • Coordinated notes, announcements, and club outreach events.
  • Supported and led events connecting students to faculty and industry professionals.
Soil judging samples and field notes laid out on grass
Field materials and samples of a soil horizon in a practice pit. The cups are used to delineate "horizons" or layers of differing characteristic.

Jul 2023 - Jan 2024

Soil Judging Team

Competitor

  • Practiced profile description, texturing, morphology, taxonomy, and interpretation.
  • Competed at the Southeast Regional Collegiate Soils Competition.
Liz Koifman performing aerial fabric on stage
"Flying/Falling" my first silks performance and second concert performance at Auburn University.

August 2023 - May 2026

Dance Ensembles

Ensemble Performer

  • Auburn dance ensembles: Footprints, Flying/Falling, and Fractals.
  • Masterclasses and workshops from industry professionals of all genres.
  • Aerial fabric training and performance practice.
Forest and Fire Ecology Lab team standing in a smoky forest burn area
Educating community members in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) about prescribed fire and land management with my fellow lab workers.

May 2024 - May 2026

Forest & Fire Ecology Lab

Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Collected forest trait data across vegetation layers.
  • Supported soil and vegetation carbon pool measurements.
  • Worked with faculty, graduate students, landowners, and agencies.
Liz Koifman with End Overdose Auburn outreach participants
Distributing and educating locals with responsive and preventative resources for opioid overdose at AubFest, a local music festival.

Jul 2025 - May 2026

End Overdose Auburn

Co-founder & Media Lead

  • Supported chapter building and public health outreach to both campus and community.
  • Created media strategy, implemented event communications, and lead campus engagement.
Auburn University Paleoecology Lab field or lab work
Taking weights of dried sediment samples for further compositional analysis.

Aug 2025 - May 2026

Auburn University Paleoecology Lab

Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Field sampling of lacustrine and wetland sediments.
  • Sample preparation, archiving, and pigment/toxin analysis support.

Featured Work

Selected work stories

Read more about my research opportunities and campus outreach experiences

Field team walking through a forested landscape for sediment core work
Paleoecology

Sediment Cores, Pigments & Environmental Toxins

Field and lab support for sediment sampling, sample preparation, pigment analysis, and environmental recordkeeping.
Liz Koifman working with prescribed fire in a pine forest
Forest Ecology

Prescribed Fire Impacts on Forest Resilience and Carbon Storage

Vegetation structure and carbon pool field sampling with research teams and external partners.
Soil judging field practice under a blue sky
Soil Science

Soil Judging & Field-Based Soil Interpretation

Soil pit interpretation, profile description, morphology, texture, and landscape inference through competition training.
Liz Koifman and an End Overdose Auburn volunteer at an outreach table
Leadership

End Overdose Auburn: Media, Outreach & Chapter Building

Campus chapter development, communication, event promotion, and outreach leadership.

Awards & Honors

Recognition for academic excellence and field skill.

2026

Comer Medal of Excellence in Agricultural Studies

Awarded to three outstanding seniors who maintain the best examination or class record in their respective academic studies.

 2026

CSES Environmental Science Award

For demonstrating outstanding leadership activities and academic excellence during tenure as an ENVI student.

 2023

Southeast Regional Collegiate Soils Competition

Finished in 4th place and qualified for Nationals.

Dance & Art

Creative practice for discipline, reflection, and communication.

Dance and art sharpen my attention to detail and facilitate collaboration and personal expression, supporting my laboratory and fieldwork, research, and scientific communication.

Dance

Art

Writing

Current events, ecology explainers, and more

Read more about my personal opinions on anything and everything ecological.

View all writing

Contact

Open to professional opportunities in environmental research, GIS/data projects, field science, education and conservation.

Email me Resume PDF pending LinkedIn