For over 30 years, Martine has provided patients access to the most up to date genetic information available to help their health and the health of the children. Genetics is a constantly evolving science and field of medicine. When answers have yet to be discovered, she has helped connect those personally affected by disease to the clinicians and researchers seeking to answers to their genetic conditions.

Martine discovered her love and talent for Genetics in 11th grade in AP Biology in Fort Walton Beach, FL. More fond of beach going, she was not typically one "break the curve" in this tough class but. suddenly, there she was with 110 on every test. Her wonderful Biology teacher, Mrs. McDonald, brought in a film on careers in Genetics. She decided then and there to go Sarah Lawrence College in New York and become a Genetic Counselor instead of becoming a Veterinarian and that she would choose a breed of dogs to breed with the knowledge to make her breed healthier.

Even in the 11th grade Martine understood that health risks could be improved by an accurate application of Genetic Principles and that dogs and dog breeds had significant genetic risks.

Martine readily achieved her goals of a college degree at Auburn University in Psychology and a triple minor in genetics. 2 years in basic science research at Emory University in Atlanta. Masters degree in Clinical Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Exciting Genetic Counseling job in a busy Specialty OB/GYN practice in Fort Worth, Texas with excellent Maternal Fetal Medicine and other specialty physicians. Research and selection of the "perfect" breed of dogs for her to show and breed-Briards. When it came to the health of dogs and "making her breed healthier"--she suddenly hit road blocks!

The people in her breed club did not want to speak about health problems openly. When she spoke about health issues, this information was not used to the benefit of others to learn from er experience but instead was used negatively and discovered that this was commonplace in the dog world.

Determined, Martine instead went to work in Canine Genetics as the DNA Collections Coordinator for the US for Waltham Canine Gene Collection. This database was to support canine genetic research. She used this role and the connections with breed clubs and researchers to facilitate research participation for many breeds including Briards and to become involved in supporting research through the AKC-CHF.. 

When speaking to Veterinarians, Canine researchers and many in the dog world, she realized that much of the time, they did not speak the same genetic language. When stating that a disease like bloat was likely genetic, Veterinarians would undoubtedly say-"Genetic--how could it be genetic. In human medicine, the pattern of inheritance in a pedigree/related individuals tells you if it is Genetic or not--not the disease itself.

She even was accepted to Texas A&M and started her PhD in Canine Genetics. When she was told that she would need to numerically, statistically analyze pedigrees and with 4 young children-she realized this was not the correct path. He goal was Genetic Counseling for dogs not being a canine researcher and could not sacrifice so much just to prove that there was a dominant gene causing GDV or torsion in certain families of dogs.

As her 2 sets of twins got older-Martine went back to work fulltime in Human Genetics and became a successful Sales Executive for Human Diagnostic Genetic Testing-helping more clinicians and their patients with access to the most comprehensive genetic testing available including Whole Exome and Whole Genome Sequencing.

To date dog fanciers and breeders will tell her that she needs to take a course in Genetics when she attempts to explain topics. She sees others who seek true genetic information, struggle through these same conversations. For these reasons, her sheer tenacity and her devotion dogs, she brings you DogGenes  

She is still devoted to her career in Human Medicine and to improving Health through access to state of the art Genetic Technology, so content creation many not develop as quick as she would like but she is always available for questions or to discuss her favorite topic-Genetics and the many ways that Genetic information can benefit health.