Our Executive Mentors

Danielle Wood, PhD

Professor Danielle Wood leads the Space Enabled Research Group within the MIT Media Lab which seeks to advance justice in earth's complex systems using designs enabled by space. Prof. Wood is a scholar of societal development with a background that includes satellite design, earth science applications, systems engineering, and technology policy for the US and emerging nations. In her research, Prof. Wood applies these skills to design innovative systems that harness space technology to address development challenges around the world. Prof. Wood’s research also develops systems analysis tools to improve decision making during the design of complex systems.

Most recently, Prof. Wood worked as the Applied Sciences Manager within the Earth Science Division of Goddard Space Flight Center. Previously, she served as Special Assistant and Advisor to the Deputy Administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Prior to working at NASA, Prof. Wood held positions at the Aerospace Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs.

Prof. Wood studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a Ph.D. in Engineering Systems, S.M. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, S.M. in technology policy, and an S.B. in Aerospace Engineering.