Sheila Xu Email and Phone Number
Sheila Xu work email
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Sheila Xu personal email
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Hello! My career spans scientific research, policy, business, and a strong commitment to accessibility. In STEM, I specialize in the intersection of human space exploration and accessibility, including multimodal communication in human space exploration missions to create alternative communication methods and tools to radio communication. I strongly believe human space exploration missions can be made accessible to all humans, regardless of their ability or disability. With that, one of my personal and professional goals is to touch space and become a (deaf) astronaut - starting with my commercial analog astronaut training, flying on zero-gravity parabolic flights to run experiments with my AstroAccess crew, and searching for opportunities to put my creativity and talent to best use to push the envelope of what's possible in human space exploration activities.I was an instructor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice and a Fulbright researcher on deaf entrepreneurship in Italy, which led me to live in Italy for over five years. I have previously interned at NASA JPL, the Department of Transportation, and then earned my pilot license in 2021 - making me the first deaf Asian female pilot in history! As a concurrent graduate student at Harvard Kennedy School and Wharton in public policy and business, and a MIT graduate (Class of 2014), I combine my lived experiences as a deaf woman and STEM background with policy and business insights, and a passion for accessibility. This unique mix drives my mission to innovate at the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business, while challenging misconceptions about the capabilities of deaf people and people with disabilities. Fun fact: I communicate in four languages every day - English, American Sign Language, Italian, and Italian Sign Language.Want to chat? Or work with me? Or bring me on as a public speaker? Feel free to send me a message here in LinkedIn or at sheila@astroaccess.org.
Astroaccess
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Director Of DevelopmentAstroaccess Dec 2024 - Present• Responsible for cultivating relationships, securing partnerships, and driving fundraising efforts to support AstroAccess's growth and goals. I work closely with the CEO to develop and implement strategies that drive revenue and ensure the long-term success of the organization.
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Astroaccess AmbassadorAstroaccess Aug 2022 - Present"AstroAccess, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disability inclusion in space exploration, announced its second cohort of Disabled Ambassadors who will fly on AA2, the second AstroAccess parabolic flight with Zero Gravity Corporation. The flight will take place in Houston, TX on December 14, 2022, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 17 lunar liftoff, the last time humans were on the Moon."• Conducted four zero gravity experiments, and tested and developed technology with my Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing crew.• Fun fact - the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing crew group did not experience any motion sickness on the parabolic flight!
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Deputy Director Of DevelopmentAstroaccess Apr 2023 - Dec 2024• Work closely with the Director of Development on partnerships, relationship-building, and fundraising that support AstroAccess's growth and goals.
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Commercial Astronaut Training ParticipantAstroaccess Nov 2022 - Nov 2022• AstroAccess has partnered with Uplift Aerospace and the University of Arizona Center for Human Space Exploration (CHaSE) for the Space+5 commercial astronaut training to train 3 AstroAccess ambassadors, including myself, from November 18 to 20, 2022, at Biosphere 2 at the University of Arizona.• Likely it is the first time in history two deaf participants underwent an astronaut training program, which includes spacecraft fire emergency training, spacesuit pressurization, and Mode 8 egress training. It's time to send deaf astronauts into space and to push the boundaries of expectations and demonstrate the full capabilities of future deaf astronauts!
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Public SpeakerCollective Speakers Jul 2014 - PresentBook me for speaking opportunities:https://collectivespeakers.com/speakers/sheila-xu/ -
Marketing InternMit Technology Licensing Office Mar 2024 - Jun 2024Cambridge, Ma, Us• Reviewed patent applications and technical documents, and translating complex technical content in marketing briefs (tech briefs) in the sciences into accessible language for diverse audiences, including laypeople, investors, partners, and the public so we can best take MIT’s breakthrough research into applicable technology and applications out in the real world -
Venture PartnerWharton Venture Partners Sep 2022 - May 2024Philadelphia, Pa, UsWharton Venture Partners is a Student-run organization that enables MBA students to develop investment theses and pitch their ideas to leading venture capital firms. With deep experience in finance, entrepreneurship, technology, and healthcare, our team represents some of the best and brightest MBA students at Wharton. Members are selected from a highly competitive application process at the start of their MBA program and and remain active members until graduation.My investment thesis will focus on the "Disability Market," and there will be a bonus section on investing in disability accessibility and inclusion in the space sector.Please reach out if you have any experience or thoughts on this sector. I'd love to chat with you about it! -
Researcher @ Negotiation And Conflict Resolution CollaboratoryHarvard University Jul 2022 - May 2024Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us• I am currently developing negotiation curriculum and workshops designed for sign language interpreters and the deaf with the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Collaboratory at Harvard University.• After taking an intensive negotiations course at Harvard, I realized there aren't any existing negotiations content or materials for the deaf and sign language interpreters. Under the guidance of the Collaboratory at Harvard, I wrote and developed simulations and materials that reflect the realities of the deaf and interpreters, which includes contract negotiations. It is my sincere belief that if the deaf and interpreters were to develop and hone excellent negotiation skills, the better off we would be in our personal and professional lives. We cannot push for social causes without excellent negotiation skills.• I am now taking inquiries for negotiation workshops in your local area or get in touch with me to learn more. -
From Harvard Square To Oval Office ProgramHarvard University Jan 2022 - Jun 2022Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us• A highly competitive non-partisan initiative that provides a select group of Harvard graduate students with the training and support they need to ascend in the electoral process at the local, state, and national levels• Learn how to run for office through skills-training sessions from the nation’s leading campaign strategists, fundraisers, and organizers and receive mentoring sessions with leading figures in American political life
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American Association Of People With Disabilities Summer InternSmartjob Jun 2022 - Aug 2022• Partnership between SmartJob & American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) for summer internship & disability-related professional development. -
Smartjob Summer Impact Investing FellowSmartjob Jun 2022 - Aug 2022• Conducted due diligence on 5+ startups led by either founders with a disability or startups seeking to provide accessible solutions (specialization: deaf market, artificial intelligence, and accessible technology).• Created an extensive business memo on the deaf market to provide insights and guidance for SmartJob partners to understand the market and make better impact investing decisions on startups addressing the deaf market.
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Business Communications Consultant & AdvisorySheila Xu Consulting May 2017 - Aug 2021I work with businesses needing help with communicating their value and brand to the right audience. Here are what I do as examples:• Strategize with and/or write quality content for clients from various industries and niches• Provide recommendations to improve websites and landing pages, write new copy, and/or edit existing content• Design, write and create brochures/pamphlets with Call to Action (CTA) to entice prospects to take action• Featured as a guest blogger for various online publications, such as Scuba Diver Life, GoAbroad, and others• Write, edit, and revise grant, fundraising, and scholarship essays and letters for non-profit organizations, students, and businesses to secure funding or partnerships to help them to grow their businesses• Research and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to create and/or tweak existing content• Have experience with Content Management System, such as WordPress, Tilda, and SimvolyWant to find out what I can do for you? Email me at sheila@sheilaxu.com.
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Graduate Student ResearcherThe Fulbright Program Oct 2016 - Jul 2017Washington, Dc, Us• Awarded the Fulbright Grant in Deafness to Italy in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program (sponsored by the U.S. – Italy Fulbright Commission and the U.S. Department of State), and collaborated with Ca’ Foscari University of Venice • Conducted research on deaf entrepreneurs in Italy. Interviewed deaf Italian entrepreneurs and researched their success stories of establishing and operating their businesses in Italy -
Interexchange Foundation Christianson Grantee & Asl InstructorUniversità Ca' Foscari Di Venezia Feb 2016 - Aug 2016Venezia, It• Awarded the Christianson grant from InterExchange Foundation to teach American Sign Language (ASL) Level 1 and American Deaf Culture in collaboration with Ca’ Foscari University of Venice• Developed the ASL course for the d/Deaf community in the Veneto region (60 students)• Established cross-cultural seminars and lectures in Italy with guest speakers from the U.S. Deaf community -
Undergraduate Research FellowMassachusetts Institute Of Technology (Mit) May 2012 - May 2014Cambridge, Ma, Us• Awarded $12,000 total from 3 sources (Peter J. Eloranta Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, MIT International Research Opportunities Program, and Kelly–Douglas Travel Fellowship) for my independent research project and thesis, "The Emergence of a Deaf Economy"• Used methodologies to develop a novel research initiative to define “deaf economy” as an ethnic economic enclave in the United States and Europe• Researched, networked, and interviewed Deaf CEOs, consumers/prospects, and employees to understand the motivations and actions behind their success stories• Used ethnography research methods to observe candid interactions between CEOs, consumers/prospects, and employees at work and in social settings -
Physical Science TechnicianU.S Department Of Transportation - Volpe Center Jan 2011 - Sep 2011Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us• Worked on a developing scenario analysis model for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CAAFI (Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) on North American and European alternative aviation fuel.• Feasibility study on the aviation industry's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions down to 2005 level by 2020.• One of the co-authors of the published research paper on the scenario analyses model and feasibility study for FAA, CAAFI, and other industry stakeholders.• Part of the discretionary grant-review team charged with reviewing different US states' applications for approximately $430 million of federal funding for Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program (TCSP) and Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program (PLHD). Was assigned several state applications for review and recommendation.• Reviewed government documents and websites to ensure compliance with Section 508 guidelines for persons with disabilities’ access to and use of electronic information technology -
Summer Intern (Space Grant)Jet Propulsion Laboratory & California Institute Of Technology Jun 2010 - Aug 2010Pasadena, Ca, Us• Used MATLAB & HTML/CSS to create website with JPL’s Climate, Ocean, and Solid Earth Science group using over 100 years of tidal data to forecast California sea levels and to visualize tidal data for the public -
Student InternUniversity Of Connecticut Nov 2008 - Jun 2009Storrs, Ct, Us• Proposed and took the initiative to determine the level of mercury rainwater pollution in Connecticut using mass spectrometry -
Summer InternMassachusetts Eye And Ear Jul 2008 - Aug 2008Boston, Ma, Us• Co-authored a research paper that investigated the relationship between the anatomical structure of a cat’s auditory system and different environmental and evolutionary factors
Sheila Xu Education Details
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The Wharton SchoolMaster Of Business Administration - Mba -
Harvard UniversityBusiness And Government At Harvard Kennedy School (Hks)
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Massachusetts Institute Of TechnologyAnd Planetary Sciences
Frequently Asked Questions about Sheila Xu
What company does Sheila Xu work for?
Sheila Xu works for Astroaccess
What is Sheila Xu's role at the current company?
Sheila Xu's current role is AstroAccess Ambassador & Aspiring Deaf Astronaut | Harvard MPP | Wharton MBA | MIT BS | Impact Investing | Aerospace & Aviation | DEIA Advocate | Deaf Pilot | 5+ Years Expat in Italy.
What is Sheila Xu's email address?
Sheila Xu's email address is sh****@****ard.edu
What schools did Sheila Xu attend?
Sheila Xu attended The Wharton School, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology.
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