Kate Santos, PhD

Costa Farms, Goulds, Fla.

Director of Research and Development

Developed one of the largest unbiased trials programs in the country that helps provide growers, retailers and breeders with insight into how varieties perform; During her graduate school career, Kate was published in five different scientific publications on research primarily related to nutrient uptake.

Hobbies: In no particular order — mountain climbing, writing, reading, painting, baking, yoga and kayaking; Favorite vacation spot: “Somewhere quiet and secluded — on a mountain, by a lake or a river”

Can’t live without: my Kindle; “I would drop anything I was doing, regardless of the point I was at in my life, for an opportunity to travel into space;”” In 1969, Kate’s great uncle, Alphonse Bielevich, caught the world’s largest Atlantic cod (98 lb., 12 oz.) — a record that still stands today.