Hazal Gergeroglu: Advancing Science as a Research Engineer and Advocating for Women in STEM

At INL, research engineers are at the forefront of scientific innovation, bridging the gap between research and practical applications. Meet Hazal Gergeroglu, a Research Engineer in the Piteira Research Group, working on cutting-edge sensor technologies for lithium-ion batteries while also advocating for greater inclusivity in STEM.

In this interview, Hazal shares how her role has evolved, the impact of her research on energy storage solutions, and the challenges in her field. She also reflects on the barriers women in STEM still face and the importance of fostering a more equitable and inclusive scientific community.

How has your role as a Research Engineer evolved over time?

When I started at INL as a research engineer, my work focused primarily on experimental research, sensor design, and data analysis. Over time, I took on additional responsibilities in project management, team coordination, and interdisciplinary collaborations. As part of these advancements, I am currently producing various sensor components and assembling these sensors into lithium-ion batteries to improve their safety and performance. In the future, I aim to keep participating in projects integrating scientific research into the industry, focusing on microsensors for batteries, ensuring more efficient and reliable energy storage solutions.

Can you describe your work in the Piteira Research Group and its impact on scientific advancements?

In the Piteira Research Group, my research can be described as sensor technologies for thin-film batteries within the Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência-New Generation Storage project.My work involves developing electrochemical sensors that address key challenges in lithium-ion battery technology. These sensors are designed to monitor battery safety and performance in real time, making energy storage more reliable for industrial applications.

Our research takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining expertise in materials science, electrochemistry, nanoscience, and sensor technology. By integrating these fields, we aim to develop innovative solutions that enhance the safety and efficiency of next-generation batteries, contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

What are the biggest challenges in your field today, and how is your research tackling them?

One of the biggest challenges in energy storage systems is battery safety and performance monitoring. Since lithium-ion batteries carry risks such as thermal runaway and short circuits, technologies are needed to monitor battery health in real time.

My research intends to address this issue by developing electrochemical microsensors to enhance battery safety and efficiency during operation. These sensors are designed to continuously monitor the battery, allowing possible problems to be identified in advance. In this way, my research seeks to deliver a creative and industrially practical answer to one of the future’s most pressing challenges: energy storage and sustainability, ensuring that battery technologies grow more reliable and long-lasting.

How can the scientific community better support and encourage women in STEM?

For women in STEM, no matter how experienced we are, we must put in more effort to get our ideas and projects accepted than men. For instance, I spend more time and energy convincing men who are not experts in my field about my ideas, even though I am an expert in that area. This leads to our ideas not being valued enough and requiring more effort to be accepted. Moreover, when I respond to injustice or disrespect, oppose a topic, or even ask an extra question, I am often labeled as talkative, arrogant, emotional, know-it-all, or overly sensitive. However, the same behaviors are considered personality traits in men. All of this shows that the visibility of women in STEM still requires a lot of effort to improve, and women in this field must fight more to prove their presence.

Overcoming these biases to strengthen the place of women in STEM and create an equal environment depends on raising awareness within the field, fostering a culture of equality, and driving societal change. I am not referring to scientific knowledge or expertise here. It’s important to acknowledge that toxic masculinity, which has been deeply ingrained for centuries, can influence even the most accomplished individuals in STEM.

Furthermore, this change in awareness will only be possible through societal transformation, not just through the education of men. As scientists, we are among the most essential building blocks of this transformation, and we have the power to bring about this change in our field. Although this journey is exhausting for us, seeing that my female colleagues worldwide face similar challenges and that these challenges are acknowledged when we raise our voices makes us stronger. Inspired by the women who paved this way for us, I will continue to guide future scientists who wish to be part of STEM, help create more space for this awareness to grow, and strengthen our visibility in the field.

So, we are not waiting for a seat at the table—we are creating space for ourselves. And importantly, remember that we are not alone in this journey. Together, we will continue to make a difference!

Text and Photography by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer;