Bio
Leo Martinez is an assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. He studies the epidemiology of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, with a focus on how social, biological, and programmatic factors shape who becomes infected, who develops disease, and who experiences long-term health consequences.
Dr. Martinez uses epidemiologic, statistical, and quantitative approaches to study tuberculosis transmission and prevention in high-burden settings and among populations at elevated risk, including children, people living with HIV, people with diabetes, and incarcerated populations. Much of his work centers on early-life risk factors for pediatric tuberculosis, the role of nutrition and growth in tuberculosis risk, tuberculosis transmission in congregate settings, and the relationship between tuberculosis and chronic disease outcomes.
His research is highly collaborative and is conducted with colleagues and public health partners in the United States and globally, including in South Africa, Kenya, Brazil, China, and Indonesia. Through these partnerships, his work aims to produce evidence that can inform tuberculosis prevention policy, improve screening and treatment strategies, and reduce disparities in tuberculosis burden. Prior to joining UC Berkeley, Dr. Martinez was a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health.