Mrs. Santillán is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. She held a research position at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas and later became a laboratory manager at the Baylor College of Medicine Medical Genetics Laboratories. Since returning to North Texas where she was raised, she has dedicated herself to volunteer service as a member of the Elm Fork chapter of Texas Master Naturalists and Trinity Forks chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT). Her wonderful husband and kids encourage her to pursue her passions for nature, good hot coffee, correct spelling, and Jesus.