Rate My Professor Jacinta Martin

Dr. Jacinta Martin is a Lecturer in the College of Engineering, Science and Environment at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and a member of the Infertility and Reproduction Research Program at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. She is a reproductive biologist and environmental toxicologist whose research examines how environmental exposures during critical windows of development influence fertility, early embryogenesis, and long-term offspring health. A central focus is the reproductive and developmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), demonstrating disruptions to gamete quality, sperm epigenetic programming, and early embryo development. She leads an NHMRC Ideas Grant (2026–2030) as lead Chief Investigator on perinatal PFAS exposure and offspring health, is Co-Chief Investigator on an NHMRC MRFF project on plastic-associated toxicants including bisphenol A on female fertility, and Chief Investigator on an ARC Linkage Project on reproductive biotechnology innovation.

Dr. Martin completed her PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Newcastle in 2019, investigating quality control mechanisms for genomic integrity in the female germline. She holds a Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (2025). Postdoctoral research included a fellowship at McGill University (2019-2021) on meiotic defects in reproductive disorders, work at Hunter Medical Research Institute, and laboratory technician role at IVF Australia. Awards include the inaugural Royal Society of NSW ‘Bicentennial Early Career Research and Service’ citation (2024), University of Newcastle College Early Career Researcher Excellence Award (2021), and various scholarships. Key publications: "Heat exposure induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in the male germ line" (2018), "DNA damage and repair in the female germline: contributions to ART" (2019), "Double strand break DNA repair occurs via non-homologous end-joining in mouse MII oocytes" (2018), "Oxidative stress and in vitro ageing of the post-ovulatory oocyte" (2022). She has experience in clinical research operations from the ROADMAP trial, teaches in biochemistry, molecular genetics, reproductive biology, and supervises HDR students.