Imhotep Welcomes Dr. Jalaal Hayes to the Board of Trustees
An Ongoing Series Highlighting Delaware Innovators
July 19, 2023
At 22, Dr. Jalaal Hayes made Delaware State University (DSU) history as its youngest doctoral degree candidate. The native of North Philadelphia earned this honor in 2015 by successfully defending his thesis “Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies of Alkali-Metal Doped Lithium Amide-Magnesium Hydride Hydrogen Storage System.”
He then taught in Philadelphia for the Universal Companies and Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School for nearly two years in pursuit of his teaching mission to make science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) simple. He spent the following two years as a visiting assistant professor of physical chemistry at DSU and then was an assistant professor of chemistry at Lincoln University for almost four years.
In 2020, Hayes founded Elyte Energy, a Dover, Delaware-based clean-energy company that uses patent-protected hydrogen technology to build a highly efficient power supply for fixed and portable devices. The startup won an Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grant from the Delaware Division of Small Business in 2021. The grant helped fund laboratory space and equipment to develop a commercial prototype of Elyte’s hydrogen-based system, and the technology has application in the greater global vehicle market.
areas of general liability, premises liability, products liability and manufacturer’s warranty.
Prior to joining a prominent Philadelphia defense law firm, Daniella clerked for the Honorable
Jacqueline F. Allen, Administrative Judge of the Trial Division in the Philadelphia Court of
Common Pleas. While clerking, Daniella was exposed to comprehensive civil and criminal
litigation, and worked on a variety of matters including mass tort designations, class actions,
contracts, and Post-Conviction Relief Act appeals. She also worked on developing and drafting
administrative protocols for litigating cases in the Trial Division. Through this experience,
Daniella cultivated a distinct knowledge of court procedure.
Daniella is a graduate of Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, where she was on
the Dean’s List. While in law school, she competed in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial and
ABA Negotiation Competitions. She also served as Vice President of the Women’s Law
Society. Daniella is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where she was team captain of the
Women’s Track and Field Team and recipient of the Dr. Janice Jordan Scholar Athlete Award.
Daniella is an active member of the legal community. She is the past president of the National
Bar Association Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter. She is also a member of the
editorial board, of The Philadelphia Lawyer, the Philadelphia Bar Association’s quarterly
magazine. Daniella’s commitment to community outreach is reflected in her work as a pro bono
attorney, board service and youth mentor. She also serves on several community outreach
committees at St. Luke Community Christian Church in Chester, PA.