Dr. Anabelle Broadbent, Founder and Chief Science Officer at Verde Operations (Verde Ops), is an internationally recognized NASA-trained pathogenic microbiologist, food scientist, nutrition scientist, biochemist, food safety and indoor controlled environment agriculture (CEA) expert with over 35 years of experience working in government (NASA & USDA), academia and private industry.
She holds the distinction of being the first Research Scientist to examine the survival of potentially pathogenic human-associated bacteria in the rhizosphere of hydroponically grown plants for life support in long-duration space missions, fully funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. She was the first Hispanic woman to earn a Ph.D. in Biology/Food Microbiology at the University of South Florida (Tampa, Florida).
As a Research Scientist, Dr. Broadbent’s research focused on biological control interventions to suppress the growth of foodborne pathogens on food surfaces. She has worked with food companies globally, in both the food manufacturing and foodservice segments of the food industry, to provide strategic leadership, direction, and guidance on Food Science, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Food Chemistry, New Food Product Development, Sensory Evaluation of Foods, Nutrition Science, Hygienic Design, Environmental Control Programs and Regulatory Compliance. As a College Professor, she developed and taught courses in biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and all areas of food science and nutrition science.
Dr. Broadbent exemplifies the scholar/athlete duality as an accomplished, national-class competitive long-distance runner (from the mile to the marathon) and a Health & Running Coach (USATF and RRCA). She is a member of the USATF-Mid Atlantic Association and competes for the Greater Philadelphia Track Club. She is also a member of the Puerto Rico Masters Association (PRMA), with 15 Puerto Rico National Records as a Masters in 4 different age groups in 7 different distances. Dr. Broadbent has represented Puerto Rico or the United States of America at international competitions. She was inducted into the prestigious Great Vegan Athlete (GVA) global platform as an Elite Vegan Athlete, thriving on a 100% whole-foods-plant-based diet/lifestyle.
Her other roles include Commercial Fashion Model. Creative Artist. Photographer. Horsewoman (Certified Equine Massage Therapist). Cyclist. Skateboarder. Yogini.