معرفی
Dr. Athena Owen Nagel serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University, where she has accumulated over a decade of expertise in island and coastal karst systems and geoscience education. Her work bridges field research in diverse international locations with innovative online teaching methodologies, and she actively contributes to the Center for Teaching and Learning and multiple professional organizations.
Her academic credentials are robust, featuring a Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (2014), an M.S. in Geosciences (2007), and a B.S. in Biology and Earth Science (2004), all from Mississippi State University except the bachelor's which was earned at the University of Central Missouri.
- Ph.D., Mississippi State University, Department of Geosciences, 2014
- M.S., Mississippi State University, Department of Geosciences, 2007
- B.S., University of Central Missouri, Department of Biology and Earth Science, 2004
Dr. Nagel's research program is centered on karst geology, particularly in coastal and island settings across the Bahamas, Spain, Barbados, and Curacao. Her investigations encompass morphometric analyses of caves, biofilm interactions in pseudokarst, and the historical development of karst coastlines. Complementing this, she pioneers advancements in geoscience education, focusing on optimizing online and distance learning environments through practical applications like Google Earth and local geological context.
Analysis of her publication record reveals a strong interdisciplinary trajectory: from detailed karst studies in the early 2010s to a growing emphasis on educational innovation post-2015. Her recent work (2020) demonstrates how leveraging regional geology enhances online geoscience instruction, while her foundational karst research continues to inform coastal geological processes globally.
Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the 2021 UPCEA National Professional, Continuing and Online Educator Award and the 2020 UPCEA South Region Award, alongside Mississippi State University's Online Teaching Award in 2020 and Quality Matters Certification in 2018.
- UPCEA National Professional, Continuing and Online Educator Award (2021)
- UPCEA South Region Professional, Continuing and Online Educator Award (2020)
- Online Teaching Award, Center for Distance Education, Mississippi State University (2020)
- Quality Matters Certification (2018)
- Member of the Maroon and Write Quality Enrichment Program (2015)
- GIS Certificate, Mississippi State University (2007)
- Ronald E. McNair Scholar (2003-2004)
- Lambda Sigma Society (2000-2001)
While specific grant details are not provided, Dr. Nagel's active research collaborations and leadership in educational initiatives suggest substantial engagement with funding opportunities. Her mentorship extends through course instruction and professional society involvement, though formal student advisement is not explicitly documented.
She maintains dynamic research partnerships through international karst projects and contributes to the academic community via the Center for Teaching and Learning. Her professional affiliations span the Geological Society of America (including Karst and Geoscience Education Divisions), National Speleological Society, and multiple state-level geological organizations.
