Dr. Jonathan Martin’s research is driven by a curiosity that crosses chemistry, biology, and health: how do the complex mixtures of chemicals around us influence what happens inside our bodies?
A professor in Stockholm University’s Department of Environmental Science, and Director of the National Facility for Exposomics at SciLifeLab, Dr. Martin combines environmental chemistry research with tools for studying the chemical exposome. His journey began in Canada, where broad training and influential mentors shaped his interests in environmental analytical chemistry, toxicology, and exposure science.
In an episode of the NEXUS Podcast “Analyzing the Chemical Exposome with Jonathan Martin” Jonathan reflects on building a laboratory facility that supports researchers in Sweden and internationally, and on the challenges of measuring environmental chemical exposures that are highly dynamic throughout our lives. He also discusses developing simple passive air samplers to better understand what we breathe and how it may relate to chemicals measured in our blood.
Looking ahead to a Human Exposome Project, he sees international collaboration through reproducible and high throughput analytical methods as an essential foundation. His advice to emerging scientists reflects his own approach: build a strong grounding in knowledge, embrace teamwork, and be prepared to keep learning.
Fun Fact:
- I study blood samples for a living but am still squeamish around blood and can’t even look when my own blood is drawn at the clinic.