Estella Atekwana
{{short description|American geophysicist}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Estella Atekwana
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| image = Estella Atekwana.jpg
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| alt = A Black woman with long braids and glasses. Her subtly made up face shows quiet confidence
| caption = Estella Atekwana in 2020
| birth_name = Estella Akweseh Nkwate
| birth_date = September 13, 1961
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| fields = Geophysics, Biogeophysics, Tectonics
| workplaces = University of Delaware
Oklahoma State University
| alma_mater = Howard University
Dalhousie University
| thesis_title = Gravity and magnetic interpretation of the Kapuskasing Structural Zone in the Val Rita and Groundhog River Blocks, northwestern Ontario, Canada
| thesis_url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/303859245
| thesis_year = 1990
| doctoral_advisor = Matthew H. Salisbury
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Estella Atekwana (née Estella Akweseh Nkwate; born 13 September 1961) is a geophysicist studying biogeophysics and tectonophysics. She is currently Dean of the College of Letters and Science, and also a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at University of California, Davis.{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Andy |date=2024-04-29 |title=Estella Atekwana Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/estella-atekwana-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=UC Davis |language=en}} She previously served as Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment at the University of Delaware.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ceoe.udel.edu/our-people/profiles/atekwana|title=Estella Atekwana|website=ceoe.udel.edu|access-date=2018-11-09}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.capegazette.com/article/atekwana-takes-helm-ud-dean-lewes-campus/137102|title=Atekwana takes helm as UD dean at Lewes campus|work=Cape Gazette|access-date=2018-11-09|date=2017-07-08}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2018/march/dean-estella-atekwana-earth-ocean-environment/|title=Estella Atekwana, inspiring the next generation|website=udel.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-11-09|last=Karen B. Roberts|date=2018-03-08}} She is also an adjunct professor at both the University of Waterloo and the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Before joining the University of Delaware in 2017, she was the Department Head of the Boone Pickens School of Geology at Oklahoma State University.{{cite web |title=Regents Professors |url=https://regentsprofessors.okstate.edu/profile/27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609212458/https://regentsprofessors.okstate.edu/profile/27 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |access-date=9 June 2020 |website=Oklahoma State University}} She maintains an adjunct appointment. Atekwana has also been a faculty member at Missouri University of Science & Technology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and Western Michigan University. Atekwana has been a part of helping write many journals and has earned many awards and honors throughout her career. She's an elected member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences.{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Andy |date=2024-04-29 |title=Estella Atekwana Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/estella-atekwana-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=UC Davis |language=en}}
Biography
Atekwana grew up in Cameroon and obtained her B.S. in Geology from Howard University in 1983 as a first-generation college student. At Howard University, Atekwana started in a pre-med program before switching to a geology major.{{Cite web |last=Lauletta-Boshart |first=Laurie |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Women in Leadership: Estella Atekwana |url=https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/women-leadership-estella-atekwana |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Comstock's magazine |language=en}} After earning her B.S., Atekwana completed an M.S. in geology, also at Howard University in 1986. In 1991, Atekwana completed a Ph.D. in Geophysics at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. After completing graduate school, she became an assistant professor at Western Michigan University. On a sabbatical in 1999, Atekwaka was a visiting professor at the University of Botswana.{{Cite web|title=SEG Live|url=https://seg.org/Events/SEG-Live/session/2020-virtual-near-surface-global-lecturer-2020-04-30|access-date=2020-06-16|website=Society of Exploration Geophysicists|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616140809/https://seg.org/Events/SEG-Live/session/2020-virtual-near-surface-global-lecturer-2020-04-30|url-status=dead}} After leaving Western Michigan University in 2003, she taught at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and Missouri University of Science and Technology before starting at Oklahoma State University's Boone Pickens School of Geology in 2007.
Atekwana's efforts in diversity in the geosciences and capacity building in developing countries have been recognized with outstanding educator awards from both the Association for Women Geoscientists and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. She serves on numerous professional committees including the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Honors and Awards committee {{Cite web|title=Honors and Recognition Committee {{!}} AGU|url=https://www.agu.org/Learn-About-AGU/About-AGU/Governance/Committees/Honors-Recognition-Committee|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.agu.org}} and the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).{{cite web |title=U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geological Sciences |url=https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/us-national-committee-for-the-international-union-of-geological-sciences-iugs#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20National%20Committee%20for%20the%20International%20Union%20of%20Geological,of%20the%20geological%20sciences%20internationally. |website=www.nationalacademies.org |access-date=10 June 2020}}
Research
While working toward their goal, a team of geophysicists including Atekwana set out to Air Force bases to examine the hydrocarbon-contaminated environments. The group tested many parts of land in hopes to find hydrocarbon reservoirs, but instead came across something that had never been thoroughly tested or identified, the ground was electrically conductive. The only conclusion to be drawn from the data was that electrical conductivity was caused by 'many different things'. During this experimental test, Atekwana found that geophysics, geochemistry and biogeochemistry were closely intertwined. This led her to establish biogeophysics.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Estella Atekwana - Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division |url=https://community.geosociety.org/gbgm/dfg/estellaatekwana |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=community.geosociety.org |language=en}}
Atekwana is a pioneer in the multidisciplinary field of Biogeophysics, which uses geophysics to understand the biogeochemical interactions occurring at contaminated sites.{{cite web |last1=Samp ath |first1=Rathana |title=Pioneer women of geophysics |url=https://seg.org/Portals/0/SEG/News%20and%20Resources/Women/Atekwana.pdf |website=SEG |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025083002/https://seg.org/Portals/0/SEG/News%20and%20Resources/Women/Atekwana.pdf |url-status=dead }} Atekwana's biogeophysical research investigates the effects of microbial-mediated processes on geological media.{{Cite journal|last1=Atekwana|first1=Estella A.|last2=Slater|first2=Lee D.|date=2009-12-31|title=Biogeophysics: A new frontier in Earth science research|journal=Reviews of Geophysics|volume=47|issue=4|pages=RG4004|doi=10.1029/2009rg000285|bibcode=2009RvGeo..47.4004A|issn=8755-1209|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |last1=Atekwana |first1=Estella A |last2=Sauck |first2=William A |last3=Werkema |first3=Douglas D |title=Investigations of geoelectrical signatures at a hydrocarbon contaminated site |journal=Journal of Applied Geophysics |date=May 2000 |volume=44 |issue=2–3 |pages=167–180 |doi=10.1016/S0926-9851(98)00033-0|bibcode=2000JAG....44..167A }} Some of her research evaluates the utility and resolution of in situ resistivity measurements combined with surface geoelectrical measurements to map contaminant distribution in the subsurface.{{Cite journal|last1=Atekwana|first1=Estella A|last2=Sauck|first2=William A|last3=Werkema|first3=Douglas D|date=2000|title=Investigations of geoelectrical signatures at a hydrocarbon contaminated site|journal=Journal of Applied Geophysics|language=en|volume=44|issue=2–3|pages=167–180|doi=10.1016/S0926-9851(98)00033-0|bibcode=2000JAG....44..167A}} Atekwana also uses the geoelectric and geophysical signatures of contaminated sites to investigate relationships between biological processes and their impact on electrical properties of geologic material.{{Cite journal|last1=Aal|first1=Gamal Z. Abdel|last2=Atekwana|first2=Estella A.|last3=Slater|first3=Lee D.|last4=Atekwana|first4=Eliot A.|date=2004|title=Effects of microbial processes on electrolytic and interfacial electrical properties of unconsolidated sediments|journal=Geophysical Research Letters|language=en|volume=31|issue=12|pages=n/a|doi=10.1029/2004GL020030|bibcode=2004GeoRL..3112505A|issn=1944-8007|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal|last1=Atekwana|first1=Estella A.|last2=Atekwana|first2=Eliot A.|s2cid=55399776|date=2010-03-01|title=Geophysical Signatures of Microbial Activity at Hydrocarbon Contaminated Sites: A Review|journal=Surveys in Geophysics|language=en|volume=31|issue=2|pages=247–283|doi=10.1007/s10712-009-9089-8|bibcode=2010SGeo...31..247A|issn=1573-0956}}
Atekwana also uses geophysics to investigate tectonic processes. Her geophysical studies reveal crust and upper mantle structures that inform the geodynamic processes associated with incipient rifting of continental crust. {{cite web |title=#Black In Geoscience |url=https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/gd/2020/06/10/black-in-geosciences/ |website=Geodynamics |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=10 June 2020}} For example, Atekwana and colleagues show how geophysically imaged pre-existing basement structures in Malawi and Botswana influenced strain localization during early rifting.{{cite journal |last1=Kolawole |first1=F. |last2=Atekwana |first2=E. A. |last3=Laó-Dávila |first3=D. A. |last4=Abdelsalam |first4=M. G. |last5=Chindandali |first5=P. R. |last6=Salima |first6=J. |last7=Kalindekafe |first7=L. |title=Active Deformation of Malawi Rift's North Basin Hinge Zone Modulated by Reactivation of Preexisting Precambrian Shear Zone Fabric |journal=Tectonics |date=March 2018 |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=683–704 |doi=10.1002/2017TC004628|bibcode=2018Tecto..37..683K |doi-access=free }} Another case study from the nascent Okavango rift in northwest Botswana provides evidence that pre-existing basement structures control rifting.{{Cite journal|last1=Modisi|first1=M. P.|last2=Atekwana|first2=E. A.|last3=Kampunzu|first3=A. B.|last4=Ngwisanyi|first4=T. H.|date=2000-10-01|title=Rift kinematics during the incipient stages of continental extension: Evidence from the nascent Okavango rift basin, northwest Botswana|url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology/article-abstract/28/10/939/207165/Rift-kinematics-during-the-incipient-stages-of|journal=Geology|language=en|volume=28|issue=10|pages=939–942|doi=10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<939:RKDTIS>2.0.CO;2|bibcode=2000Geo....28..939M|issn=0091-7613|url-access=subscription}}
Atekwana is involved in a project to use smartphones with geophysical sensors to potentially provide a more affordable approach to the acquisition of geophysical data, highlighting the application at academic institutions with limited access to expensive geophysical equipment.{{Cite journal|last1=Campbell|first1=Nathan|last2=Atekwana|first2=Estella|last3=Mathews|first3=Adam J.|last4=Ismail|first4=Ahmed|date=2020|title=Geophysical applications of magnetic sensors in smartphones|journal=The Leading Edge|language=en|volume=39|issue=5|pages=312–317|doi=10.1190/tle39050312.1|bibcode=2020LeaEd..39..312C |s2cid=219058666|issn=1070-485X}}
Works
Atekwana was involved in the writing of many geoscience journals such as:
- Bacterial Stern layer diffusion: experimental determination with spectral induced polarization and sensitivity to nitrite toxicity{{Cite journal |last1=Mellage |first1=Adrian |last2=Smeaton |first2=Christina M. |last3=Furman |first3=Alex |last4=Atekwana |first4=Estella A. |last5=Rezanezhad |first5=Fereidoun |last6=Cappellen |first6=Philippe Van |date=2019-12-05 |title=Bacterial Stern layer diffusion: experimental determination with spectral induced polarization and sensitivity to nitrite toxicity |journal=Near Surface Geophysics |language=en |volume=17 |issue=6 - Recent Developments in Induced Polarization |pages=623–635 |doi=10.1002/nsg.12058 |issn=1569-4445|doi-access=free }}
- High-resolution magnetic susceptibility measurements for investigating magnetic mineral formation during microbial mediated iron reduction{{Cite journal |last1=Atekwana |first1=Estella A. |last2=Mewafy |first2=Farag M. |last3=Abdel Aal |first3=Gamal |last4=Werkema |first4=D. Dale |last5=Revil |first5=André |last6=Slater |first6=Lee D. |date=January 2014 |title=High-resolution magnetic susceptibility measurements for investigating magnetic mineral formation during microbial mediated iron reduction: MS Measurements During Iron Reduction |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences |language=en |volume=119 |issue=1 |pages=80–94 |doi=10.1002/2013JG002414|doi-access=free }}
- The Microbial Community Structure in Petroleum-Contaminated Sediments Corresponds to Geophysical Signatures{{Cite journal |last1=Allen |first1=Jonathan P. |last2=Atekwana |first2=Estella A. |last3=Atekwana |first3=Eliot A. |last4=Duris |first4=Joseph W. |last5=Werkema |first5=D. Dale |last6=Rossbach |first6=Silvia |date=May 2007 |title=The Microbial Community Structure in Petroleum-Contaminated Sediments Corresponds to Geophysical Signatures |journal=Applied and Environmental Microbiology |volume=73 |issue=9 |pages=2860–2870 |doi=10.1128/AEM.01752-06 |pmc=1892848 |pmid=17351087}}
Awards and honors
- Elected Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences.{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Andy |date=2024-04-29 |title=Estella Atekwana Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/estella-atekwana-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=UC Davis |language=en}}
- Fellow, Geological Society of America.{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Andy |date=2024-04-29 |title=Estella Atekwana Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/estella-atekwana-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=UC Davis |language=en}}
- Fellow, American Geophysical Union.{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Andy |date=2024-04-29 |title=Estella Atekwana Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/estella-atekwana-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=UC Davis |language=en}}
- Reginald Fessenden Award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (2021){{Cite web |title=For the Record, May 28, 2021 {{!}} UDaily |url=https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2021/may/for-the-record-may-28-2021/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=www.udel.edu |language=en}}.
- Society of Exploration Geophysicists 2020 Virtual Near Surface Global Lecturer.
- Association for Women Geoscientists 2019 Outstanding Educator. {{cite web |title=AWG Outstanding Educator Award |url=http://awg.org/images/awards/Professional%20Awards/AWG_Outstanding_Educator_Award_O.pdf |website=Association for Women Geoscientists |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609212450/http://awg.org/images/awards/Professional%20Awards/AWG_Outstanding_Educator_Award_O.pdf |url-status=dead }}
- Outstanding Educator Award, Society of Exploration Geophysicists (2016). {{Cite web|url=https://seg.org/News-Resources/News/Press-Releases/SEG-Announces-2016-Honors-and-Awards-Recipients|title=SEG Announces 2016 Honors and Awards Recipients|website=seg.org|access-date=2019-02-28|date=2016-05-26|archive-date=2019-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301074643/https://seg.org/News-Resources/News/Press-Releases/SEG-Announces-2016-Honors-and-Awards-Recipients|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Atekwana to receive SEG Outstanding Educator Award |url=https://journalrecord.com/2016/06/13/atekwana-to-receive-seg-outstanding-educator-award/ |publisher=The Journal Record |date=June 13, 2016}}
- Elected Fellow of the Geological Society of America 2016. {{cite web |title=All Active and Current GSA Fellows |url=https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/About/awards/GSA_Fellows/GSA/Awards/Fellows.aspx |website=Geological Society of America |access-date=9 June 2020}}
- Eminent Faculty Award, Oklahoma State University (2015). {{Cite web|url=https://news.okstate.edu/articles/communications/2015/oklahoma-state-university-recognizes-employees-during-2015-university-awards-convocation.html|title=Oklahoma State University recognizes Atekwana, Masters during 2015 University Awards Convocation|website=news.okstate.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-02-28|last=Alex Marianos|date=2015-12-02}}
Selected publications
Atewkana has written over 100 publications including:
- {{cite journal |last1=Kolawole |first1=F. |last2=Atekwana |first2=E. A. |last3=Laó-Dávila |first3=D. A. |last4=Abdelsalam |first4=M. G. |last5=Chindandali |first5=P. R. |last6=Salima |first6=J. |last7=Kalindekafe |first7=L. |title=Active Deformation of Malawi Rift's North Basin Hinge Zone Modulated by Reactivation of Preexisting Precambrian Shear Zone Fabric |journal=Tectonics |date=March 2018 |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=683–704 |doi=10.1002/2017TC004628|bibcode=2018Tecto..37..683K |doi-access=free }}
- {{cite journal |last1=Atekwana |first1=Estella A |last2=Sauck |first2=William A |last3=Werkema |first3=Douglas D |title=Investigations of geoelectrical signatures at a hydrocarbon contaminated site |journal=Journal of Applied Geophysics |date=May 2000 |volume=44 |issue=2–3 |pages=167–180 |doi=10.1016/S0926-9851(98)00033-0|bibcode=2000JAG....44..167A }}
- {{cite journal |last1=Atekwana |first1=Estella A. |last2=Atekwana |first2=Eliot A. |s2cid=55399776 |title=Geophysical Signatures of Microbial Activity at Hydrocarbon Contaminated Sites: A Review |journal=Surveys in Geophysics |date=4 November 2009 |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=247–283 |doi=10.1007/s10712-009-9089-8|bibcode=2010SGeo...31..247A }}
- {{Cite journal|last1=Atekwana|first1=Estella A.|last2=Slater|first2=Lee D.|date=2009-12-31|title=Biogeophysics: A new frontier in Earth science research|journal=Reviews of Geophysics|volume=47|issue=4|pages=RG4004|doi=10.1029/2009rg000285|bibcode=2009RvGeo..47.4004A|issn=8755-1209|doi-access=free}}
Estella Atekwana serves as an associate editor for the American Geophysical Union's Journal of Geophysical Research - Biogeosciences{{cite web |title=Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/21698961/associate-editors |website=AGU Journals |doi=10.1002/(ISSN)2169-8961 |access-date=10 June 2020 |language=en}} and serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of African Earth Sciences{{cite web |title=Journal of African Earth Sciences Editorial Board |url=https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-african-earth-sciences/editorial-board |access-date=10 June 2020}}
References
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External links
- {{Google scholar id}}
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Category:Dalhousie University alumni
Category:University of Delaware faculty
Category:American geophysicists
Category:Cameroonian scientists
Category:Cameroonian women scientists
Category:Howard University alumni
Category:Oklahoma State University faculty
Category:Academic staff of the University of Waterloo
Category:Missouri University of Science and Technology faculty
Category:American women geophysicists
Category:American women geologists