Estralita Martin, Ph.D., Profile

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Estralita Martin, Ph.D.

Embryologist-Bone Development and Endocrinology

PROFILE

Dr. Estralita Martin was born in Hannibal, Missouri, and she has the strength of character and determination often ascribed to individuals from the "Show Me" state. She attributes her drive and persistence to the encouragement, love, and support of her parents. In order to feed and clothe their eight children, Dr. Martin's father worked two jobs and her mother cleaned houses on weekends. Although neither had obtained a formal college degree, both valued education and recognized that only through higher education would their children succeed. Therefore, they were very active in their children's education. In fact, Dr. Martin states, "We were not allowed to have jobs outside of the normal childhood jobs (paper routes, mowing lawns, and the like). My parents felt that our 'job' was to do well in school and their job was to provide us with the best environment they could for that to happen. They were like a tag team. Whatever school event one couldn't attend, the other was there. Whatever homework assignment one couldn't help us with, the other would. Both our parents were there, however, for academic and disciplinary discussions with our principals and teachers. With this much encouragement and support it was only natural that all the children would seek to fulfill their parents' dream-- all attended college.

Dr. Estralita Martin has come a long way from her home in Missouri to become a scientific researcher in California. When asked why she chose science, she says, "In part for two reasons; one, because I thought I wanted to go into medicine after one of my sisters was injured in a car accident, and second, my teachers said I shouldn't because it was too difficult." However, her interest in medicine soon changed to biology after taking her first course in embryology at Oberlin College. Her professor noted her abilities and interest in embryology and encouraged her to pursue a graduate degree in the field. While attending Oberlin, Dr. Martin received a MARC scholarship to do research for the summer with Dr. John Browne at Atlanta University. That was all it took to persuade her that research was her niche in life. After graduation, Dr. Martin returned to Atlanta University to earn her masters degree. At that time, she continued under the tutelage of Dr. John Browne, investigating the cellular metabolism of brain development in chick embryos. She was able to demonstrate that administering the drug DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) to pregnant women with a history of miscarriages caused an accumulation of amino acids and cerebral spinal fluid in the midregion of the developing brain, resulting in the formation of symptoms similar to that seen in hydroencephalitis. Her work did not go unrecognized. She received the E. E. Just Award for outstanding research and the Samuel M. Nabrit Award for Meritorious Achievement in Developmental Biology.

Dr. Martin's interests in developmental biology eventually centered around bone development, so she wrote to Dr. Fred Wilt, an embryologist at the University of California, Berkeley, to inquire about a possible collaboration. She was accepted into their Ph.D. program and investigated the composition of the skeletal system of sea urchin embryos and the chemical similarities between the skeletal system of sea urchins and humans, although the assembly of amino acids was different than previously believed. She completed her Ph.D. degree in 1984.

After a brief detour investigating the effects of nerve growth factor on neuronal differentiation, she was accepted as a post-doctoral fellow in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, where she resumed her studies in bone development with Dr. Leonard Deftos. Dr. Martin continued her research as a research endocrinologist and physiologist at the University of California at San Diego/Veterans Administration Medical Center, where she investigated the biochemical aspects of human bone growth metabolism. By modifying techniques originally developed for nerve cells, she was able to study individual bone cells and measure their contributions to bone development and breakdown. Dr. Martin hopes to use these techniques to study the effect of strenuous exercise on bone development in children.

Dr. Martin values the importance of her contributions as a researcher and also recognizes the importance of teaching. She presently serves as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in the College of Sciences at San Diego State University and teaches courses in Biology and Embryology. Her commitment and passion for research is very apparent, coupled with her commitment for improving the status of minority men and women in research. She also enjoys relaxing with her husband.

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