Grace Xu

Engineer. Researcher. Builder.

About

I'm a full-stack developer, robotics software lead, and nonprofit CTO passionate about building tools that improve learning, accessibility, and global equity. I love creating systems that combine clean engineering with thoughtful UX — from AI-powered education platforms, to assistive technology for visually impaired shoppers, to the infrastructure behind a 10+ country nonprofit. My work sits at the intersection of software, hardware, and impactful problem-solving.

Skills

Languages: Python, TypeScript, Java, C++, Go, SQL
Frontend: React, Next.js, Vue.js, Tailwind CSS, Three.js
Backend: Node.js, Express, Firebase, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
Tools: Git, Figma, Docker, AWS, Vercel
Design: UI/UX Design, Prototyping, User Testing, Workflow Design

Timeline

2025
ICDC Champion — VBC Sports (1st Place); Reached USACO Platinum
2024
Co-founded StudyAP; Scaled LightAid to 10+ chapters; Joined DECA leadership
2023
Battled Aplastic anemia, received bone marrow transplant
2022
Summer: Attended COSMOS Cluster 5, created card-dealing robot final project
2021
Joined FRC 3256; began competitive programming journey

Selected Work

A collection of projects that showcase my approach to solving complex problems

StudyAP

AI-driven platform that generates personalized AP study materials, adaptive practice questions, and structured review systems for students across the U.S.

2024
Next.js TypeScript OpenAI API PostgreSQL Tailwind

LightAid

Technology infrastructure powering LightAid’s global impact, connecting international chapters, volunteers, and donation pipelines in real time.

2024
React Firebase Google Maps API Material-UI Twilio

FRC Software Lead

Lead developer for FRC Team 3256’s robot software, contributing to subsystem architecture, autonomous routines, vision integration, and superstructure control.

2022
Java WPILib PathPlanner PhotonVision

InSight

Assistive device mounted on shopping carts that provides auditory and haptic navigation guidance for visually impaired shoppers, developed as the capstone project for UPenn’s Management & Technology Summer Institute.

2025
Python Arduino OpenCV Ultrasonic Sensors

Nano-Grinding Research

Computational framework analyzing nano-scale grinding simulations to identify optimal manufacturing parameters. Research peer-reviewed and published.

2024
MATLAB Python NumPy SciPy Matplotlib

Personal Portfolio v1

Immersive 3D portfolio featuring interactive scenes, shader effects, and animated transitions to showcase projects and engineering work.

2023
Next.js Three.js React Three Fiber Framer Motion GLSL

Contact

Let's connect and build something amazing together.