Dr. Estella A. Atekwana is Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean & Environmental at the University of Delaware. Her research focus is on biogeophysics which investigates geophysical signatures of microbial-rock interactions. Atekwana is also known for her contributions to East African Rift tectonics. She is a champion for developing a diverse talent pool in STEM and capacity building in developing countries. Atekwana is the recipient of the 2020 Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Near Surface Geophysics Global Virtual Lecturer, 2019 Association for Women Geoscientists Outstanding Educator and the 2016 SEG Outstanding Educator award.  She is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. She is a member of the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geological Sciences and member of the Board on Earth Science Resources, National Academies of Sciences. She currently serves as Editor, AGU Books, Associate Editor JGR-Biogeosciences and member College of Fellows and AGU’s H&R committees.  Dr. Atekwana received her BS and MS from Howard University and a PhD from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.