Estella Atekwana
Personal Information
Born: 1961
Country of Birth: Cameroon
Nationality: Cameroon
Ethnicity: Black
Education
1983, BS in Geology, Howard University; 1986, MS in Geology, Howard University; 1991, PhD in Geophysics, Dalhousie University
Professional Life
Field of Study: Biogeophysics; Tectonphysics
Institution/Corporation: University of Delaware; Oklahoma State University
Degrees & Memberships: Member: 2016, Fellow Geological Society of America
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2020, Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), Virtual Near Surface Global Lecturer; 2019, Association for Women Geoscientists Outstanding Educator Award; 2016, Outstanding Educator Award, SEG; 2015, Eminent Faculty Award, Oklahoma State University; 2021, Reginald Fessenden Award, SEG; 2010-2011, Regents Distinguished Research Award, Oklahoma State University; 2008-2009, International Education Faculty Excellence Award, Oklahoma State University; 2005, Faculty Excellence Award, University of Missouri-Rolla; 2004-2005, Outstanding Academic Advisor Award, University of Missouri-Rolla
Achievements: 1 of the founders of the field of biogeophysics; Dean of College of Letters & Science at University of California-Davis
Grew up in Cameroon
Switched her major from pre-med to geology after a teacher told her girls weren't suited for field work to prove that teacher wrong
Is a pioneer in Biogeophysics which uses geophysics to understand the biochemical interactions occurring at contaminated sites
Is involved in a program to use smartphones with geophysical sensors to potentially gather data for institutions that don't have access to expensive equipment