Ellen A. Cowan

Dr. Ellen A. Cowan is a Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She has taught courses such as Introduction to Physical Geology, Oceanography, Geomorphology, and Geoarchaeology since joining the faculty in 1988. Her research focuses on glacial-marine sedimentology, coal ash transport in rivers, and geoarchaeological assessments of historic sites in North Carolina.

• B.A., Albion College
• M.S., Northern Illinois University
• Ph.D., Northern Illinois University

Dr. Cowan's research spans glacial-marine sedimentology, examining tidewater glaciers in southeastern Alaska, and coal ash transport in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the southeastern U.S. She also applies geoarchaeological methods to map historic sites, integrating geophysics and archival data. Her recent publications highlight trends in environmental contamination tracing, ice sheet-climate interactions, and geophysical prospection for cultural heritage preservation.

Scientific awards include the Don Sink Outstanding Scholar Award (1999), the Undergraduate Research Mentorship Excellence Award (2018), and recognition as a Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2018). She actively involves students in field research, particularly during summer expeditions in Alaska. Her work has been published in journals covering environmental science, geology, and geophysics, with a focus on climate-ice sheet dynamics and pollution monitoring.