Serena Xu

Serena Xu is a competitive épée fencer, student researcher, and writer with interests in behavioral science, decision-making, and human performance. She is an international Cadet fencing medalist, a Y14 NAC Champion, and a Canadian Cadet Champion. Beyond athletics, Serena is a two-time AIME qualifier and a multiple-time Scholastic Art & Writing Awards honoree.

Her experiences across competitive athletics, mathematics, and writing have shaped her curiosity about how people think, adapt, and make decisions in challenging environments. Her current research examines the interaction between deliberate strategy and habitual action in competitive athletes, particularly how decision-making changes under pressure.

At Hope In Steps, Serena serves as Director of Research & Impact and California Chapter Director. She works to develop approaches for evaluating program outcomes, identifying meaningful patterns in learning and behavior, and using evidence to inform program improvement. She also leads the development of Hope In Steps’ California chapter, helping expand the organization’s programs and community impact in California.