You're making way too many assumptions. You can't fire someone because a laptop is stolen or lost. The University should have provided a means of centralized backup for data.
I am assuming that the University did provide a means of centralized backup, and she failed to avail herself of it. This is based on the assumption that it is more likely that one researcher screwed up, than that the entire University is woefully incompetent.
Also, note that you assumed that I meant "firing" when I said "disciplinary action." I was thinking more along the lines of a note in her file, and a stern talking-to.
