Na Xu

About

Na Xu earned her Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental biology from Weill Medical College of Cornell University. As a graduate student, she characterized the novel role of Rho GTPase in Drosophila embryonic salivary gland invagination, migration, and lumen size control. She has presented her work at national and international conferences and has published in many scientific journals and book chapters.

In addition to her scientific research, Dr. Xu promotes science education in urban schools. She has served as a mentor of the afterschool STEM program at the New York Academy of Science and volunteered part-time in Bronx middle schools and Brooklyn high schools. She also won an award (IRACDA-BETTR Scholar) from the National Institute of Health/Albert Einstein School of Medicine to work in science education. As an IRACDA-BETTR scholar, she taught at Hostos Community College while doing her postdoctoral research.

Currently, Dr. Xu works at LaGuardia Community College as the Chairperson of the Natural Sciences Department and a Professor of Biology. She mentors undergraduate students through collaboration with Weill Cornell Stem Cell research labs. She also serves as a mentor in the Global STEM Alliance to promote STEM mentorship and education globally.