After obtaining her license in Life and Earth Sciences, Awa completed her Master’s degree in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems at the University Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), Senegal. She did two internships at the Joal-Fadiouth Marine Protected Area in Senegal. Her research themes related to different aspects of marine turtles (ecology, threats, and conservation measures) and their relationships with seagrass beds. She joined ACI in November 2019 as a program manager, providing administrative support and animal monitoring at the turtle protection station in Ngazobil, as well as conducting turtle fieldwork in Senegal.