 |
| Dr. Emma Mbua (right) showing A. afarensis specimen to a Japanese Prince (Source: Getty Images) |
The fields of science, math, and technology have historically been dominated by men for generations. In the last few decades there has been a push to encourage women to enter these fields, and this has been largely been successful in various Western nations. In areas of the world, such as African nations, this push has been less successful, but through the hard work and concerted efforts of various scholars, such as Dr. Emma Nguvi Mbua, the tides are changing.
Dr. Dr. Emma Nguvi Mbua is world renowned paleoanthropologist, paleontologist, and primatologist who earned her degrees in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Liverpool (England) and University of Hamburg (Germany). She is also a scholar who has a list of notable accomplishments under her belt. These include having served as the Head and Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Nairobi (Kenya), as well as a leader of the National Museum of Kenya’s Paleoanthropology Section. It is important to note that she was the first woman to serve in this position at the National Museum, and she was also the first female paleoanthropologist in Kenya.
In addition, Dr. Mbua made various ground breaking discoveries at the Kantis Palaeontological Project, a paleoanthropological site she previously worked at. These discoveries included locating fossilized remains from 29 extinct species, as well as fossilized teeth and portions of the forearm of Australopithecus afarensis. This latter discovery was the first evidence to A. afarensis’s expansion into the area! Her research endeavors were funded through various organizations, including the Leakey Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, National Geographic Society, and the Paleontological Scientific Trust.
Dr. Mbua is also a highly decorated scholar. She was the first African woman to receive the Mary Leakey Award for Research and Study of Human Origins, which was awarded to her in 1998. She has earned several awards and recognitions throughout Kenya for her scholarship and public outreach. She is considered an inspiration to all Kenyans given her dedication to making paleoanthropological research accessible to the public, and she is credited as inspiring young African girls and women to pursue scientific study, research, and work.
Although she is now retired she continues her tireless efforts and does not appear to be ready to slow down at any point. She is a shining star that refuses to burn out, and hopefully her shine will burn bright to pave the way for future generations to come.
References
Clarke, S. (2020, November 13). Emma Mbua . Retrieved from Trowelblazers: https://trowelblazers.com/2020/11/13/emma-mbua/
Day, M. (2024). Dr. Emma Nguvi Mbua. Retrieved from Kenyan Heroes: https://kenyanheroes.com/honorable-mention/emma-nguvi-mbua/
Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board. (2022, May 5). Emma Mbua. Retrieved from Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board: https://sectors.kenyayearbook.go.ke/2022/05/05/emma-mbua/
Mbua, E. (n.d.). A Message from the Head of the Earth Sciences Department. Retrieved from Prehistory Club of Kenya: https://www.prehistoryclubkenya.org/DRMBUA.HTML
No comments:
Post a Comment