Professor Esperanza Martinez

Head of Health and Human Security, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University

Professor Esperanza Martinez

Head of Health and Human Security, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University

Dr. Martinez serves as the Head of 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 ANU, Dr. Martinez was instrumental in leading responses to complex crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, 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 in Colombia as a medical doctor and general surgeon, Dr. Martinez specialized 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.