Donald Siegel, PhD, a Syracuse University earth sciences professor, talks about fracking on Upstate's weekly talk radio show, HealthLInk on Air. Donald Siegel, PhD, a Syracuse University earth sciences professor, talks about fracking on Upstate's weekly talk radio show, HealthLInk on Air. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, brings with it a controversial mix of issues that range from public health and science to jobs and politics. As with any energy production process, there are drawbacks to pumping water and chemicals underground to extract oil and gas, explains Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, brings with it a controversial mix of issues that range from public health and science to jobs and politics. As with any energy production process, there are drawbacks to pumping water and chemicals underground to extract oil and gas, explains Donald Siegel, PhD, Donald Siegel, PhD, department chair of earth sciences at Syracuse University. Siegel explores the scientific evidence on fracking, advocates the use of renewable energy sources and notes that whatever the energy source, “there‘s no free ride,” and someone is bound to be inconvenienced or unhappy. department chair of earth sciences at Syracuse University. Siegel explores the scientific evidence on fracking, advocates the use of renewable energy sources and notes that whatever the energy source, “there‘s no free ride,” and someone is bound to be inconvenienced or unhappy.