For using science to improve ocean health and lift up women scientists

Founder and CEO of CoastGIS Research Institute | Dakar, Senegal

Dr. Awa Bousso Dramé is a pioneer in coastal geosciences and a powerful advocate for women in science. As the founder and CEO of CoastGIS (Coastal & GISciences Research Institute) in Dakar, she has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the 2022 L’Oréal/UNESCO Women in Science Prize and a spot on the 2023 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list. Her groundbreaking research combines geomorphology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with artificial intelligence (AI), driving innovation in coastal management, particularly in Senegal.

Awa's research focuses on pressing environmental issues such as erosion and flooding. By developing advanced methods that leverage AI and GIS, she has created effective monitoring tools and projection scenarios that inform national and continental decision-making. Her work is especially relevant to significant projects like the Grande Tortue Ahmeyim Gas Initiative in which an offshore gas platform and pipeline will run through the world’s largest cold deep-water coral reef off the coast of Senegal and Mauritania. The pipeline poses potential environmental risks, including habitat destruction, gas spills, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Her thesis, supervised by University College London (UCL) and the Ecological Monitoring Centre (CSE) in Dakar, provided a structure attached to the Senegalese Ministry of the Environment, regarding the gas initiative. Through her efforts, Awa aims to influence sustainable practices and policies that protect coastal ecosystems.

Awa is a long-time advocate when it comes to the environment and environmental sciences. She told Le Monde Afrique, "Thanks to my Cape Verdean grandmother, I understood very early on that the oceans are living organisms connected to humans."

Beyond her scientific contributions, Awa is firmly committed to empowering the next generation of women in science. Through her organization, CoastGIS, she promotes STEM education, focusing on girls and women. Her initiatives, such as the #GEN4STEM, is a six-month online program aiming to balance the gender gap in STEM to support young girls’ academic and career orientation in the field. Delivered in French and English, the program offers mentoring, skills development, and networking with high-powered role models, and spans 16 West African countries.

Awa believes that fostering entrepreneurship and social impact through education is essential for community development and resilience. She says, "We make sure to support women in their research in male-dominated disciplines. For example, we have a geochemistry program on a regional scale called Field2Lab.” This program helps develop the next generation of female geochemists in Senegal, inviting high school students in Dakar interested in a career in geochemistry as it applies to environmental sciences.

Awa's expertise extends to several international roles. She serves as an expert and author for the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea and as a member of the UNESCO-IOC 2020-2030 UN Ocean Decade Strategic Advisory Board. Her involvement in various committees and panels showcases her commitment to addressing global challenges through collaboration and innovation.

At the heart of CoastGIS’s mission is the belief that science should lead to social impact. Awa and her team strive to promote coastal, marine, and environmental research while raising awareness about climate change. Their work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union 2063 Agenda, reinforcing the importance of gender inclusion, empowerment, and education in creating a sustainable future.

Awa's inspiring journey—from her academic foundation at Sorbonne Université and Columbia University to her leadership role at CoastGIS—illustrates her dedication to advancing coastal sciences and supporting women in STEM. Her achievements serve as a beacon of hope and a call to action for aspiring scientists across the African continent and beyond.