Awa has a background working on small arms proliferation and Micro-finance efficacy with the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) and the USAID Micro Finance project in Mali respectively. Awa has a B.S in Decision Sciences and Management Information systems, Minor in international Development (Ottawa University, Canada). 

Research Interests  

• Impact of the Cold War on African Security
• International responses to the Liberian Civil War
• The role of women in peace and security issues in the West African sub-region