Meet Georgia Tech's Fatou Tunkara STEAM Sports Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Name: Fatou Tunkara            

College: Georgia Institute of Technology

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Major: Dual Majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering, minoring in Mathematics.

Aspirational Car: 1960 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

[Editor's Note: Fatou has been selected for an internship at General Motors next summer. Despite being involved in a serious automobile accident this fall which prevented her from participating in STEAM Sports Foundation's Immersion Tour, she plans to be back on track with her degree pursuit by next semester.]

10-Year Prediction in auto/motorsports: I think electric vehicles will shift ultimately from novelty to mainstream. Much like how manuals dwindled in the U.S. but survived for niche enthusiasts, combustion engines will begin to follow the same path. EVs and hybrids will dominate new car sales in developed markets driven by infrastructure growth, eventual renewed government mandates, and falling battery costs ... Regarding motorsports I think they will evolve in parallel. With electric racing expanding, hybrid and alternative fuels will extend ICE relevance, and traditional forms like NASCAR or drag racing will remain as classic sports. I don’t think combustion engines will ever “vanish”, but their identity will shift. I think it’ll turn into a passion-driven choice for enthusiasts and select markets, while EVs ultimately become the everyday standard. 

What You May Not Know About Me: I speak 9 languages fluently. I sew, and have sewn three wedding dresses so far. I drift and want to get into rally racing.

How did you get so interested in the auto/motorsports industry?

I have no idea what the one thing was, but a whole lot of little things starting with when I was in Africa. My uncle was a self-taught mechanic, and I used to help him out when I had time. That made me curious about cars in general. But when I first came to America, what really hooked me was the sound of engines. I still remember being out with my cousin who was meeting up with his friend and hearing his 2000 Honda Civic SI. It was so loud and raw that something just clicked for me. I found myself grinning from ear to ear. From then on, I couldn’t stop looking into cars. I still get excited just hearing different engines and exhaust notes. Over time, that excitement grew into wanting to understand the performance side. The why and how cars go fast, and how all the pieces come together. Then, I discovered motorsports. It felt like the perfect mix of that thrill and the engineering behind it, which is what has kept me hooked. I like cars that sound loud and go fast and I like understanding why.

What automotive aspect interests you the most?

I know I sound like a broken record, but for me it’s definitely the engine. It’s a big part of why I’m dual majoring in mechanical engineering and industrial design. I love how something that seems almost impossible can be designed, built, and actually work in a practical way. The engine is at the core of that. Every part of a car matters, tires especially but the engine is what really captures me. What excites me about this industry is that almost anything is possible. For example, I wanted to build a cart with a 212cc GHOST racing engine. At first it wasn’t practical, but through brainstorming I was able to come up with a design that worked. That experience reminded me of what happens in automotive design. Engineers and designers push ideas forward and bring them to life.

How do you approach the challenges of being a minority engineering student in what has been traditionally a non-minority career path?

It’s definitely a lot of advocating for yourself. Even in my own family, I’ve faced some pushback, like being told that it’s not appropriate for me as a woman to be interested in cars, let alone build a career in the automotive field. But I’ve learned to brush that off, because I know what my goals are, and I can’t let outside opinions dictate that. I stay focused on the bigger picture. At the same time, being surrounded by people who look like you, be it same race, culture, ethnic group or gender with similar passions whether through school, teams, or organizations like this one really helps with the imposter syndrome. Building that community with shared experiences creates and provides a supportive environment.

What would you like your first job/career opportunity to be?

My first job, ideally, would be in the world of motorsports or automotive engineering. I’d love a hands-on role where I can apply what I’ve learned, work on high-performance systems, and really experience the fast-paced environment that drew me to this field. Getting to work alongside a team of engineers, and learn from them is a wonderful opportunity.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Ten years from now, I see myself in the automotive industry, ideally having learned and gained experience across different departments like design and manufacturing from senior engineers. Then segway to work in motorsports, maybe even spend some time in Formula 1. I’d also love the opportunity to grow into a leadership role where I can lead a team of engineers but also still be hands-on. My goal is to build a well-rounded background and use that to mentor kids who grew up in situations similar to mine who also have an interest in the motorsport/automotive field. 

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