Asha-Dee Celestine researches hydrogen infrastructure for future of clean energy Meet Asha-Dee Celestine

Growing up, Asha-Dee Celestine was encouraged by her parents to dream big, and then to pursue those dreams. Her love of math and science developed into the desire to become an aerospace engineer. There were no aerospace engineering programs in her native Trinidad, so she applied to schools in the United States and received a full scholarship to study mechanical engineering at Howard University in Washington, D.C. “I was able to take several aerospace-related electives during my senior year,” she said. “Materials Science was my favorite subject as an undergraduate and I have been involved in that area ever since.”

She followed this with a Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Celestine was an assistant professor at Auburn University, looking to gain both a greater understanding of federal research funding and to become involved in the development of science and engineering policy when she learned about the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

“While attending the 2019 AAAS Conference, I met an engineering professor who was participating in the ORISE Science and Technology Policy Fellowship (STP) Fellowship program. The program sounded like the opportunity I was looking for,” she said. She found a fellowship in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) in the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The Postdoctoral Research Award Program was funded by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Research Participation Program. The prestigious postdoctoral research award supports scientific research in energy efficiency and renewable energy by attracting scientists and engineers to pursue breakthrough technologies in energy research. The opportunity called for candidates with experience in mechanics of materials and carbon fiber composites--“A perfect match to my background,” she said.

The HFTO focuses on research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across multiple sectors including transportation, industry, and stationary power. Hydrogen infrastructure, which includes hydrogen delivery and storage, is a critical component of the hydrogen ecosystem, connecting clean hydrogen production to the end users.  

“Clean hydrogen is a zero-emissions energy carrier. The large-scale adoption of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies will help us achieve our decarbonization and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goals,” she said.

As an HFTO fellow, Celestine supports the Hydrogen Infrastructure Program, focusing on gaseous and liquid hydrogen storage systems and composite materials. She participates with evaluating project progress and engages in the hydrogen program planning process.

Her fellowship has allowed Celestine a variety of unique experiences, including a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “While we were there, we saw the world’s largest liquid hydrogen storage tank, which holds 1.25 million gallons, and also saw the Space Launch System rocket out on the launchpad,” she said.

Celestine said her time with the program has been an enriching and educational experience that will benefit her greatly as she looks toward continued work in the clean energy field.

The EERE program is funded by the Department of Energy and administered through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). ORISE is managed for DOE by ORAU.