Alalea's research interests are focussed on cleantech, mitigation of the damaging effects of climate change and the transformation of the construction sector towards net-zero. Her work encompasses urban flood mitigation and adaptation, sustainable drainage systems, permeable concrete pavements and their application in extreme weather and loading scenarios, additive manufacturing, multi-scale experimental and numerical modelling methods, durability of cement-based materials and the development of new low-carbon cementitious materials.

Alalea was chosen as one of the ‘Top 50 Women in Engineering’ in 2022 by the Women’s Engineering Society, received the ‘Hawley Award for Engineering Innovation’ and the Imperial College London President’s Medal for Excellence in Research in 2023. In 2024, she was selected as a RAEng Young Engineer of the Year and received the Sir George MacFarlane Medal.