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Sossina Haile
Materials Scientist | Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
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Quick Insights
~200 peer-reviewed publications
National Academies
14+ patents in energy materials and electrochemical systems
National Academies
High-impact contributions to fuel cells, hydrogen energy, and clean energy systems
Mentorship of dozens of PhD and graduate researchers
Sossina was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1966. Her family fled Ethiopia during the political upheaval of the 1970s and later settled in the United States. This transition from Ethiopia to the U.S. shaped her academic trajectory and positioned her within advanced global research systems.
Selected Career Milestones
Faculty member at California Institute of Technology for 18 years
Northwestern Now
Joined Northwestern University as Walter P. Murphy Professor (2015–present)
Northwestern Now
Established a new class of solid acid fuel cells with record performance
Northwestern Now
Advanced hydrogen production, storage, and electrochemical energy systems
McCormick School of Engineering
Co-director of sustainability and energy research initiatives at Northwestern
Professional Affiliations , Membership & Additional Contributions
Fellow, Materials Research Society
Fellow, American Ceramic Society
Member, African Academy of Sciences
Member, Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
Contributor to U.S. National Academies energy studies and advisory bodies
Professional Overview
Sossina M. Haile is a globally recognized Ethiopian-American materials scientist specializing in solid-state ionics and sustainable energy technologies. She is widely known for pioneering the development of solid acid fuel cells and advancing hydrogen-based energy systems. She currently serves as the Walter P. Murphy Professor at Northwestern University and previously spent nearly two decades on the faculty of California Institute of Technology.
Education
PhD in Materials Science & Engineering – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992)
MS – University of California, Berkeley
BS – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Selected Publications, Awards & Legacy Achievements
Electrochemical Society Fellow (2024)
McCormick School of Engineering
Ver Steeg Distinguished Research Fellowship – Northwestern University �
McCormick School of Engineering
International Ceramics Prize – World Academy of Ceramics
Northwestern Now
Chemical Pioneers Award – Chemical Heritage Foundation
Northwestern Now
NSF American Competitiveness & Innovation Fellowship
Northwestern Now
Fellow of multiple major scientific bodies including:
Materials Research Society
American Ceramic Society
African Academy of Sciences
Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
Professional Journey & Contribution
Prof Sossina Haile’s work focuses on understanding and engineering ionic transport in solid materials for energy applications. She has developed breakthrough technologies enabling efficient conversion between electricity and chemical fuels, particularly hydrogen. Her innovations contribute directly to solving large-scale energy storage and sustainability challenges, including grid stability and decarbonization.
Platform Acknowledgment
Ethiopian Profiles recognizes Sossina Haile for outstanding contributions to their field and for demonstrating professional excellence that contributes to Ethiopia's knowledge and development.