Emma Costa Is a Farmer in the Lab

Emma Costa ('26) is redefining how we approach agriculture, both on our planet and beyond. “Imagine creating your own Earth,” she says, describing her internship at start-up Acreage Farms. “You get to change the weather, the water supply and the entire environment to grow crops. It’s like being Mother Nature, adjusting conditions to meet your goals.” This hands-on, scientific approach is part of Emma’s journey as an Aerospace Physiology major at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Originally from Miami, Emma arrived at Embry-Riddle with plans to study aerospace engineering, inspired by alumni from her high school who pursued flight and engineering. “In orientation, they introduced engineering as something very computer-focused,” she recalls. “I wanted to be hands-on, and thankfully I found Aerospace Physiology.” This major offered the practical experience she craved, with labs incorporated into virtually every class.

Her passion for sustainable agriculture was sparked by a high school project involving composting, where she developed a deep appreciation for the natural processes that sustain life. “That’s really where it started for me,” she says. “I wanted to work beyond the conventional laboratory.” She also credits her green thumb to her mother, a dedicated gardener who instilled a love of nature and an understanding of how to nurture life.

Finding Balance

Balancing her commitments is no small feat. Emma juggles her research work in the Space Microbiology Lab with her internship at Acreage Farms and responsibilities as a Resident Advisor. These roles require a demanding schedule and intense time management, yet Emma embraces the challenge. Her studies in Aerospace Physiology have not only deepened her understanding of human health but also reinforced the importance of self-care. “I’m learning everything from genetics to how our muscles function,” she says. “It’s empowering to learn about the many levels of how the human body functions and what it needs to perform,” a crucial insight as she navigates her many commitments.

Emma’s willingness to learn and get involved has been key to her success. Reflecting on how she first approached Dr. Hugo Castillo, PI of the Space Microbiology Lab, she says, “I told him, I have no experience to offer, but I'm willing to clean equipment, organize anything that you guys need ... as I gain experience.”

Interning in the MicaPlex

Her determination led to working on the plant-microbial interactions project and eventually landed her the Acreage Farms internship. The company, located in the MicaPlex research park at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, focuses on sustainable agriculture through vertical farming. “I'm basically a farmer,” Emma explains. “I go through all the manual processes of what it would be like without having automated technology in place to support the vertical farm.”

Hydroponic farming, as Emma describes, brings not only future applications for Mars and the Moon but also immediate benefits here on Earth. “Hydroponic vertical farming is a lot more water efficient,” she notes. “You're reusing the water supply as it travels back to the reservoir. It’s about having consistent water flow even when your environment doesn’t see rain for a month.” This research highlights hydroponics’ potential to address climate challenges and improve resource efficiency, benefiting regions facing water scarcity.

The interdisciplinary nature of her work has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her Embry-Riddle experience. 

Her experience at a start-up has also shown her that research can flourish outside academia, providing broader career options.