Dr Martinez serves as the Head of Global Health and Human Security at the Australian National University’s College of Health and Medicine. Her role includes harnessing cross-disciplinary knowledge and expertise to develop evidence-based, practical, and impactful solutions addressing national, regional, and global challenges. 

Before joining the ANU, Dr Martinez played a pivotal role in leading responses to complex crises, including COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, and for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva. She led the ICRC’s Health division for five years, delivering essential healthcare services to populations affected by armed conflict and violence in over 80 countries. 

Trained as a medical doctor and general surgeon in Colombia, Dr Martinez later specialised in International Public Health and Health Management in Australia. Her extensive career of over two decades includes more than ten years of fieldwork in several conflict-affected countries, as well as collaborations with UN agencies, governments, and the private sector. She is an experienced strategic advisor in global health, humanitarian action, and crisis leadership.