Emily Calandrelli

Emily Dawn Calandrelli, known as “The Space Gal,” was born in 1986 or 1987 and grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, graduating from Morgantown High School. Her academic journey led her to West Virginia University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical and aerospace engineering in 2010. During her undergraduate studies, she was recognized as a Truman Scholar, a USA Today all-academic team member, and a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship recipient. She furthered her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), obtaining dual Master of Science degrees in aeronautics and astronautics, and technology and policy in 2013. While at MIT, she received the René Miller Prize in Systems Engineering in 2011 and contributed as a Harvard NASA Tournament Lab visiting scholar, focusing on crowdsourcing for technical challenges.

Calandrelli began her career working as an intern at NASA, where her projects included designing simulations for the Phoenix Mars Lander’s soil testing, researching laser applications to reduce jet engine emissions, and developing chemical detection sensors. She transitioned into science communication, becoming the host of “Xploration Outer Space,” part of Fox’s “Xploration Station” educational block, in 2014. Her engaging approach to science also led to appearances on Netflix’s “Bill Nye Saves the World” in 2017. In August 2020, her own educational Netflix series, “Emily’s Wonder Lab,” debuted, which she notably filmed while nine months pregnant. She expanded her reach as a contributing writer for TechCrunch and a TEDx speaker, advocating for space exploration, scientific literacy, and gender equality in STEM fields. Her work earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2017 for Outstanding Host.

Beyond her television work, Calandrelli is a prolific author, having written the “Ada Lace” series of children’s books to introduce young readers to science and technology, a picture book titled “Reach for the Stars” (2022), and two books of science experiments for children. She actively engages with audiences as a professional speaker, presenting at institutions like Google, Pixar, MIT, and Texas Instruments, as well as K-12 schools and universities across the United States. In 2023 and 2024, she was invited by the White House to conduct educational science experiments at the annual Easter Egg Roll. A significant milestone occurred in November 2024, when Calandrelli successfully launched into space aboard Blue Origin’s NS-28 mission, becoming the 100th woman in space and the 10th woman to complete a suborbital spaceflight above the Kármán line. Her advocacy extends to parental leave in the aerospace industry and improving airport regulations for breastfeeding mothers.