Aug. 7, 2025 — Katherine Martinez, MLS(ASCP)CM, still remembers the moment she realized what part of medicine wasn’t for her.

During a bone marrow biopsy observation early in her training to join the medical field, she fainted — a clear sign that her path would lead her elsewhere.

“I woke up and the nurses had put me in a chair and dragged the chair out to the hallway,” she said.

That experience helped her narrow her focus. Today, Martinez serves as the supervisor of molecular pathology at UF Path Labs in the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, where she blends technical expertise with a passion for people and process. The labs provide pathology services for physicians throughout the Southeast United States, offering a broad range of modern diagnostic and prognostic tests that include applications of advanced technology and the latest research findings.

Martinez moved to Gainesville in 2013 after graduating from the University of Central Florida. Her husband, Joey, had just finished his service in the U.S. Navy and enrolled at UF.

“He’s a big Gator fan and has always wanted to go here,” she said. “We love the area so much that we decided to stay.”

Martinez joined UF Health and rotated through several labs, including a brief detour at a spin-off in Alachua, before landing back at Path Labs. Her current role took shape in early 2020 when COVID-19 reached Florida.

“Our lab, our molecular department started ramping up to be able to provide testing to the community,” she said.

While many in the lab were not licensed to handle molecular samples, Martinez was. After volunteering to use her skills to assist with testing needs, she was transferred from her previous role to assist with COVID-19 lab tests the next day. Soon after, the lab went from testing just a handful of samples to thousands per day.

“It was a lot of just figuring things out, troubleshooting,” Martinez said. “We worked with different groups all over UF to figure out how we could test a lot of people safely.”

One of the campus collaborations that took place was working with UF engineers who 3D printed supplies. Her team also quickly pivoted from nasopharyngeal swabs to validating saliva collection to allow for quicker testing.

“That’s the kind of thing I like to do, the troubleshooting and the problem-solving, figuring out how to make things really efficient,” Martinez said.

As COVID-19 testing demands eased, the department returned to its core focus: oncology testing, next-gen sequencing, infectious disease screening and pharmacogenomics. Individuals can respond differently to treatments and medications due to their unique biological makeup. Through analyzing the genetic makeup of blood, tumors and other sample types, Martinez and her team help providers tailor treatments unique to the patients needs or condition.

What keeps her motivated is the sense of purpose and the people around her.

“I can’t say enough good things about our group,” she said. “They’re not just hard workers, they also all have the mindset of doing this for the patients.”

She credits her work environment for supporting personal and professional growth.

“At UF we have a lot of really talented people, so it helps,” she said. “There are endless opportunities — it’s almost as if you can create your own. They really support you if you have the drive to grow.”

Martinez has continued to grow as a leader within her department. She participated in the UF Managers Cohort, a professional development program that deepened her approach to leadership. She was also nominated by her peers and received a 2025 UF Superior Accomplishment Award — a recognition that reflects her impact and commitment to her team.

Outside of the lab, Martinez finds just as much fulfillment in raising her two young children.

She describes them as her proudest accomplishment. At home, she brings the same calm and focus she’s known for at work, creating space for learning, support and fun. Whether it’s a regular school day or a special family outing, she’s intentional about showing up in both roles.

“I try to bring the same attention and thoughtfulness into how we spend time as a family — from celebrating wins and supporting schoolwork to planning special outings, like our spontaneous trip to watch the Gators play in the first round of the basketball championship.”