Luz Cristal Glangchai, Ph.D., is a best-selling author, engineer, entrepreneur, and professor with a passion for developing the next generation of creative leaders and entrepreneurs, and igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in girls.

She is the Founder of VentureLab.org, a non-profit that develops curriculum, programs, and training in youth entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mindset. Her bestselling book, "VentureGirls - Raising Entrepreneurial Girls to be Tomorrows Leaders," teaches parents and educators how to raise confident girls through an entrepreneurial mindset. Dr. Glangchai also serves as an adjunct faculty in Entrepreneurship at Trinity University.

Previously, she was the founding Director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at UT Austin and the Director of the Texas Entrepreneurship Exchange at The University of Texas at Austin. Before that, Dr. Glangchai was an Assistant Professor and served as the founding Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Trinity University. Prior to Trinity, she ran the Idea to Product Program at the University of Texas at Austin and founded a nanotechnology drug delivery company.

She received her B.A. in Plan II, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, she holds two Doctoral Certificates in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Molecular Imaging for Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Dr. Glangchai also holds an Executive Certificate in Design Thinking from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.

Dr. Glangchai has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the TODAY Show, NPR’s The TakeAway, Mashable, and TEDx San Antonio. Her accolades include 40 Under 40, Woman of the Year, and Non-Profit CEO of the Year in San Antonio, TX. Click here to check out some of Cristal's Cool Work in the community and beyond, or scroll down for more.