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Featured on October 22, 2023
This week, we’re joined by Samantha Maxine Santos, a Space and Data Technology Consultant at Deloitte Adelaide’s Space Advisory practice.
Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from De La Salle University Manila, where she received the gold medal for most outstanding undergraduate thesis. While studying, she joined the NASA Space Apps Challenge, working with her teammates to develop Project PaWiKAN (Patches Withdrawn Kept Away from Nature) — a pair of deployable, semi-autonomous boats that map and clean up trash from the ocean using real-time data from NASA.
As a GRAVITY Challenge Global Space Data and Technical Lead at Deloitte, Sam specialises in finding ways to integrate space into transformation strategies that address compelling business problems and everyday solutions. There, she works closely with engineers to conducts technical assessments on the risks of business challenges and the feasibility of solutions. Unsurprisingly, she’s passionate about reshaping the narrative of how space and STEM ties into grand challenges like climate change and broader sectors like education and emerging industries.
Here are some fun facts about Sam:
- She loves water sports. She used to travel solo almost every weekend to surf/kitesurf competitively from age 12 (even taking random jobs like helping build a bahay kubo/nipa hut just so she can stay longer). When she went to uni, she still wanted to stay connected to the ocean, so this inspired her to join the sailing varsity at DLSU and focus her thesis focus on protecting oceans using space tech! All the things she loves.
- She’s left-handed, which may mean she’s pretty creative! She actually used to freelance as a graphic and UI/UX designer.
- She’s a massive foodie – If you asked her what she misses most about Manila, it would be: Balut, Isaw and the seaside Dampa!
