Women's History Month Profile: Ale Hakala

Alexandra “Ale” Hakala is an environmental geochemist whose research interests focus on how chemical reactions can increase the efficiency of producing energy while minimizing environmental impacts and how to monitor the sources of fluids and gases in natural systems.

She earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in geosciences with a certificate in environmental studies from Princeton University in 2003, and her doctorate from the School of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University in 2008 where she was a U.S. EPA Science to Achieve Results Graduate Fellow.

Ale started as an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education post-doctoral research associate at NETL in 2008 and became a NETL research scientist in 2009. While at NETL, Ale has led multiple projects related to onshore unconventional shale gas development and geochemical monitoring for carbon storage risk assessment as both a portfolio leader and principal investigator. In 2017, she received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

She currently is the acting senior fellow for NETL Geologic and Environmental Systems. In this role, she works with multiple research teams (both within NETL and with external partners) to address geoscience-based research focused on ensuring prudent development of natural resources for energy extraction and water management.

Away from work, Ale focuses on her family (husband Nick Siefert, a mechanical engineer at NETL, daughter Emilie, 7, son Stephen, 6, and puppy girls Ginny and Sydney), snowboarding during the winter and gardening during the summer. She is the 2014 National Champion for Masters Class Women’s Boardercross for the amateur USA Snowboard and Freeski Association.

Why is it important that women are equally represented in STEM fields?

Seeing people that we can identify with, engaged with work that seems exciting but difficult, can inspire us to pursue careers in fields that otherwise may seem out of reach. Cultivating teams with a wide range of diversity also encourages innovative solutions in research and development.
 
What is one highlight of your career at NETL that you would like to share?

The most exciting aspect of research and development, especially in the geosciences, is uncovering a new aspect of nature that previously was unknown or undocumented. Through being able to work with such an excellent multi-disciplinary team at NETL and across DOE, we’re making these types of discoveries on a regular basis across all of our projects. The excitement of discovery (even when the hypothesis is disproved!) is a repeated highlight that keeps me motivated in pursuing a research-based career.

What is one of your future career goals?

My long-term career goal is to enable sustainable stewardship of our natural resources, and this end goal informs each decision-making point as I progress in my career. 
 

Ale Hakala