Maria Elena Martinez, MPH, PhD, has been selected to receive The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health 2007 Award for Excellence in Research. She was nominated for her "exemplary dedication to research" and her success in investigative work as demonstrated by the number of large research grants awarded and peer-reviewed journal articles published.

Criteria for the award included that research should be characterized by originality and have investigation as a primary objective.  It also should have the potential to produce results that are beneficial towards human well being and improved health, at the individual or community level.

According to her letter of nomination, Dr. Martínez has consistently demonstrated originality in her approach to her work. One example is an investigation of the association between folate intake and colorectal adenoma recurrence. The hypothesis had long been that folate would be protective from colorectal neoplasia; however, Dr. Martínez went further in her investigation by asking whether high intake of folate coupled with fortification of the food supply could actually result in increased risk for colorectal adenoma recurrence. One of her published papers, "Fortification of the US Food Supply, Plasma Folate, Homocysteine, and Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence," demonstrated that indeed, there appears to be no additional benefit to a high intake of folate after folate fortification began. This paper is one example of a significant contribution to the scientific literature on this subject, and has been presented as an excellent example of folate research by Dr. Martínez’s peers at national conferences.  Further, this work could have great impact on public health recommendations.

Dr. Martínez’ work is both collaborative and interdisciplinary. Her research on polymorphisms in the ornithine decarboxylase gene, published in "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," combined basic science, genetics, and epidemiology to demonstrate that protective effects of aspirin for colorectal neoplasia depend on the genetic background of the individual. Her collaborations with basic scientists, statisticians, and epidemiologists continue, as demonstrated by her publication record.

In addition, many UA public health students have benefited from Dr. Martínez’s extraordinary research program. At the 2006 Society of Epidemiologic Research conference, for example, four students from the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health presented work that was prepared from her laboratory group.

The research funding that Dr. Martínez has been able to secure is impressive. She is the principal investigator on four large research grants spanning several research questions, including colorectal and breast cancers, in addition to being a co-Investigator on several others. Her successful publication record, with multiple peer-reviewed papers in journals such as "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" and "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention," reflects both the importance and the vast scope of the work done on each of these funding projects.

The award, which includes a one-time $1,000 stipend, will be presented to Dr. Martinez, April 17, during the UA Awards of Distinction Ceremony.