Recently, the Women of Color STEM Conference honored Sunita Satyapal, the director of fuel cell technologies in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.
With over 25 years of experience in her field, Satyapal is responsible for the overall strategy and execution of hydrogen and fuel cell programs.
She oversees more than $1.6 billion in research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities, and manages an additional $9.5 billion in hydrogen initiatives in partnership with various DOE offices.
Her office has led the interagency working group on hydrogen for nearly two decades.
"I've been interested in hydrogen because there's been so much interest partly because of its versatility," Satyapal said. "Most people don't know about hydrogen, but it's the most abundant element in the universe."
Satyapal also coordinates international hydrogen activities as the Vice Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy, which includes over 20 countries working to accelerate progress in hydrogen.
Additionally, she serves as the U.S. co-lead for hydrogen initiatives within the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation.
Satyapal believes that hydrogen is a crucial tool for decarbonizing and addressing the climate crisis—an urgent issue that has been prioritized.
She emphasizes that climate change is a pressing reality and that awareness is essential in combating it. "People don't talk about the climate crisis enough because it seems so far into the future, but time goes by quickly," she noted.
"I'm grateful to my whole team and colleagues here in my office," she added. "Everyone is so passionate about spreading the word."
One noteworthy project that Satyapal is involved with is developing materials that could absorb carbon dioxide, allowing astronauts to extend their missions.
She has also contributed to a project focused on safely disposing of chemical warfare agents, but her primary focus has always been the environment.
Diversity is a key aspect of achieving climate goals, according to Satyapal.
She believes that having people with different perspectives and backgrounds adds significant value to projects addressing climate change. "We need many different perspectives. The whole globe is interconnected, so it's critical," she explained.
Throughout her career, Satyapal has had many mentors, the most significant being her parents.
Her father emigrated to the U.S. on a cargo ship with no money, eventually earning his Ph.D. and becoming a director for the United Nations. Her mother faced challenges to earn her Ph.D. at a time when it was difficult for women to advance in education and careers.
"They went through so much and provided my sisters and me with opportunities," Satyapal reflected. "We ended up being able to live and grow up in the U.S., so I find their journey really inspiring."
At times, becoming a DOE scientist was her only goal. Initially, she aspired to be a university professor—a dream she has not abandoned, especially since both her mother and sister are professors.
In her profession, Satyapal has encountered biases that some people express upon meeting her for the first time. She recalls instances where individuals refused to shake her hand.
"The brain categorizes others immediately; you don't even realize it," she said, explaining that this classification is a natural human instinct.
To overcome these challenges, Satyapal believes it’s important to understand that biases can be ingrained and often don’t intentionally offend.
She acknowledges that everyone has biases and suggests that young people entering STEM fields focus on building a strong foundation, as this will allow them to grow and gain knowledge in their chosen areas.
