The overall goal of Martin's academic program is to develop and communicate the scientific knowledge needed to prevent and control foodborne and zoonotic diseases caused by bacteria. Current work in his laboratory focuses on microorganisms that cause a considerable number of foodborne deaths annually in the US, including Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella. Listeria monocytogenes causes disease in more than 20 animal species as well as a severe, but rare human foodborne disease with about 250 human deaths annually in the US alone. Salmonella also causes disease in many animals as well as a common foodborne disease in humans with approximately 1 million cases and 380 deaths annually in the US. With his training as a both a veterinarian and food scientist, Martin's programs focus on a comprehensive and interdisciplinary farm-to-table approach to food safety. Martin's academic programs thus involves the application of a variety of disciplines (including microbiology and microbial genetics, population genetics, molecular biology, genomics, evolution and modelling) as well as collaborators from many different discipline (e.g., economics, computer science, veterinary medicine, epidemiology and statistics) and from many different institutions (other universities, state health and agriculture departments, federal agencies such as CDC and USDA, as well as trade organizations).