Eliot's first research experience in the tropics came during an undergraduate semester abroad program in Costa Rica with the Organization for Tropical Studies. Greatly inspired by this experience, he traveled to Ecuador to help with an ongoing seed dispersal study. Eventually, he literally ended up on the doorstep of the Yanayacu Biological Station and Center for Creative Studies. A productive expedition soon followed with Dr. Harold Greeney to southwest Ecuador, where he learned a great deal about natural history study. Later, he returned to Yanayacu to continue studying under the guidance of Dr. Greeney. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Missouri, St Louis, under Bette Loiselle's supervision.
