Keynote Session featuring Emily Calandrelli

Join us for EXPO’s 2025 opening keynote session at 9:00 AM in the Theater. This year’s keynote speaker will be proud WV native Emily Calandrelli. Emily is an acclaimed engineer, science communicator, and television host with a passion for inspiring innovation. A graduate of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Emily has dedicated her career to making science and technology accessible to all. Known as “The Space Gal,” she has even experienced weightlessness during a zero-gravity flight, bringing her closer to the wonders of space exploration. As the host of Xploration Outer Space and a correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World, she highlights the intersection of STEM, sustainability, and the built environment. Emily’s roots in the Mountain State and her dedication to engineering excellence make her an inspiring figure for those shaping the future of construction and infrastructure. She was the 100th woman in space and the 2024 West Virginian of the Year.