Elizabeth Cutler Crewman first class Elizabeth Cutler was a crew member and an entomologist assigned to the sciences division aboard in the early 2150s . Professional and personal life . Professional life . In 2151 , Crewman Cutler had her first away mission experience while serving in her capacity as an exobiologist ; Sub - Commander T ' Pol , " Enterprise " ' s Vulcan science officer , specifically requested her presence and participation to explore and evaluate a recently discovered class M planet later known as Archer IV , as the planet had a " diverse insect population . " Cutler explored by herself for the duration of the mission , and was prompt in returning to the at the end of the mission . She remained on the planet at T ' Pol ' s behest for what was to be the remainder of the day and the upcoming night , to continue her studies . Cutler was exposed to and soon fell under the effects of airborne tropolisine , as were all personnel that remained on the planet . Fortunately , unlike crewmates Ethan Novakovich and Commander Charles Tucker III , Cutler was not profoundly psychologically affected by the compound and did not endanger her own life before being successfully treated by Dr . Phlox . ( ) Later that year , in her expanding capacity as an in - training medic , Cutler accompanied Phlox to the surface of the planet Valakis to assist in the attempted treatment of one of the planet ' s indigenous species , the Valakian s . While planet - side , Cutler and Phlox studied the physiological differences between the Valakians and the Menk ( the Valakians ' co - evolvants ) to discover the key to why the Valakians were susceptible to and subsequently ravaged by an apparent virulegenic pathogen , when the Menk were not . While Cutler appeared to appreciate and relish the work she was performing on Valakis , she was troubled by what she perceived to be the exploitation of the lesser - evolved Menk by the Valakians . ( ) Continuing to serve in the position of an interim medic , in February 2152 , Cutler assisted in the initiation of Phlox ' s yearly hibernation requirement while the crew partook of shore leave in orbit of Risa . She was to assume the role of Chief Medical Officer in Phlox ' s stead , and was entrusted this position as a result of her continued training as " a capable medic . " The proceeding day , however , while attempting to treat an injured Ensign Travis Mayweather , her limited medical training was exhausted when it became evident that the Risian painkiller was inducing an anaphylactic reaction in the ensign that was beyond not only her experience , but that of T ' Pol , who was the acting captain . Cutler and T ' Pol were forced to wake Phlox from his hibernation to seek his counsel . After much coaxing , the doctor made his way to the sickbay to assist Cutler in treating the ever - worsening Mayweather , but Phlox was certainly not performing at his peak , having been interrupted mid - hibernation . After a few false starts and miscommunications , Cutler was able to both understand and apply the treatment that the patient required . ( ) In 2153 , Cutler was apparently working in the exobiology lab when she suffered a broken arm due to a manifested spatial anomaly ( which was the result of " Enterprise " s voyage through the Delphic Expanse ) . ( ) Personal life . Cutler was extremely dedicated to her course of study , to the extent that she repeatedly studied even in her off - duty hours while consuming meals with her crewmates . Cutler exhibited some xenophilic tendencies , as evidenced by her interest in developing both congenial and personal relationships with the only aliens to serve aboard with her : Sub - Commander T ' Pol and Dr . Phlox . In an effort to gain common interests with her Vulcan superior , Cutler sampled Vulcan cuisine ( specifically , plomeek soup ) as well as other aspects of Vulcan culture . However , as T ' Pol was neither interested in having nor permitted to have anything other than a professional working relationship with the crewmen under her command , Cutler ' s friendly advances were politely rebuffed . ( ) In mid - to - late 2151 , while beginning her training under Phlox as an interim medic , Cutler began to exhibit romantic interest in her alien tutor . She frequently accompanied the doctor to movie night , inquired into his personal life , and frequently found excuses to be in close proximity to him . It was while on her mission to Valakis that Phlox confronted Cutler with the advances she had been making and made her fully aware that not only was he already married , but to " several " Denobulan women , each of whom was married to multiple Denobulan men , as is the custom on his world . While surprised by Phlox ' admission to his culture ' s polyamorist nature , Cutler took this information well and surprised Phlox by her insistence that this cultural divide neither bothered her , nor did it dissuade her from pursuing her burgeoning friendship with the doctor . ( ) Appendices . Background information . Crewman Cutler was played by the late Kellie Waymire , until she suddenly died in . In the first draft script of " Strange New World " , Cutler was initially described simply as " a female ontomologist " and no first name was given for her , neither was her status as " crewman " . In the final draft of the same episode ' s script , Cutler was introduced with the description , " " She ' s an exobiologist who serves in the ship ' s Science Division , early 30 ' s , curious . " " The final draft of the " Strange New World " script also identified her as a crewman and gave her first name as " Elizabeth " . At the time of her casting as Crewman Cutler , Kellie Waymire was not entirely certain about the specifics of the part . She later explained , " " I had no idea what they wanted for the part , but I don ' t think they did either . I thought if they bring me back , fabulous . If not , then it still would be OK to do one . " " ( ) Despite the final draft script of " Strange New World " having given her the first name " Elizabeth " , the writers ' first draft script of " Dear Doctor " instead gave Cutler the first name " Julie " . As evidenced by both that draft as well as the final draft of the " Dear Doctor " script , Cutler was to have been consistently referred to , in that episode , as an ensign . However , her rank in the installment was clearly later changed to crewman , she having held that rank in " Strange New World " . Cutler was also referred to in the first draft script of ( written while the episode had the working title " Untitled Andorians Return " ) . In that script , Phlox told T ' Pol , prior to her being reassigned , that " " Crewman Cutler was rather distraught " [ by T ' Pol ' s imminent departure ] " . . . I thought I was going to have to sedate her . " " Ultimately , Kellie Waymire appreciated her character ' s romance with Phlox . " " It ' s easy for someone to go for the hunky guy . I think it ' s " more " fun to have a crush on the old uncle , " " the actress reckoned , shortly following production on " " s first season . " " People now ask what ' s going to happen between me and Phlox . Well , until I get the script , I have no idea ! You know about the same time as I know " [ . . . ] " Never in a million years did I think I would have a crush on Phlox ! But I did and I loved it . " " ( ) It is not known whether the character of Crewman Cutler was to have appeared in later episodes , as she did not appear in any episodes of the series ' second season , although Cutler was mentioned in an episode in " Enterprise " s third season . Kellie Waymire had hoped to return to the part after the first season . Shortly following that season , she commented , " " I don ' t want her just to be the nurse that shows up in Sickbay and gets things for Phlox . I hope we get to do something kooky and interesting " [ . . . ] " A lot of it depends on what they write for me , but they might write to the decisions I make for the character " [ . . . ] " I think the writers do pay attention to what I do , and the stories they write will show my character developing . " " With a laugh , she concluded , " " I don ' t think they ' ll kill me off , but you never say never . " " ( ) The writing staff of " Enterprise " had , at one point , discussed acknowledging the actress ' death during the third season . Noted Executive Producer Rick Berman , " " We had hoped that Kellie would come back as well . " "