Martell’s research examines how communication tools and tactics can be used to influence human behavior and lead to improved outcomes and policy for marginalized communities and wildlife. Some of her recent work has looked at how message framing, emotions, and values can be leveraged in strategic communication efforts to promote pro-conservation behaviors. As a community-engaged scholar, her work focuses on addressing community-identified issues through shared research interests and social concerns. She is a founding member of the Gayogo̲hó:nǫˀ  Learning Project, a partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, where she serves on the advisory board to promote Gayogo̲hó:nǫˀ language and culture revitalization and reclamation.

• Doctorate, Cornell University – 2022
• Master of Science, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University- 2003
• Bachelor of Arts, Reed College – 1999

With over 20-years of experience in public policy, research, and communication, Martell’s career has spanned non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), non-profits, government, and academia. She is a co-lead on the NIH-funded Cornell FIRST program where she co-directs the evaluation core and serves on the steering committee and as an advisor to the faculty development core. She also developed and leads the Cornell Early-Career Grant Mentoring Program. 

Prior to Cornell, Martell worked both nationally and internationally on issues as varied as the international exotic pet trade to reproductive rights for women. Some of her past projects include relocating big cats from substandard facilities and working on the ground with displaced animals after Hurricane Katrina. She has worked to pass state laws on captive animal issues, women’s reproductive rights, and racial and LGBTQ+ equity, conducted an undercover investigation into poor welfare practices for big cats in captivity, worked closely with federal agencies, drafted federal legislation, and written multiple reports for federal and state legislators. She has also served two terms as an elected alderperson in the fifth ward on Ithaca City Council. Her media appearances include Animal Planet’s hit mini-series Fatal Attractions, as well as The BBC World News, The Today Show, Larry King Live, and 20/20.

• 2024-present- Assistant Research Professor, Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

• 2023–present - Associate Dean of Academics, Graduate School, Cornell University
• 2021 – present-  Evaluation Co-Director and Institutional Steering Committee member, Cornell FIRST Program, Cornell University
• 2017–2021 - Director of Research Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University

• 2016-2017- Director of Grants and Foundation Relations, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

• 2014-2017- Alderperson, 5th Ward, Ithaca Common Council
• 2011-2016- Director roles in communication and research, Rhode Island School of Design
• 2009-2010- Subject Matter Expert in Animal Welfare for Animal Planet, Discovery Communications 
• 2003-2009- Program Officer/Campaigner and Evaluation Specialist, International Fund for Animal Welfare

• Martell, J. E., & Rodewald, A. D. (2024) Wildlife values can inform strategic conservation communication efforts. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1-19.

• Martell, J. E., & Rodewald, A. D. (2023). Promoting conservation behaviors by leveraging optimistic and pessimistic messages and emotions. Society & Natural Resources, 1-22.

•   Martell, J. E., & Rodewald, A. D. (2020). Media transparency and evidence‐based framing: reply to Kusmanoff. Conservation Biology, 34(5), 1063-1064.

• Martell, J. E., & Rodewald, A. D. (2020). Frames, facts, and the science of communicating environmental crises. Conservation Biology, 34(3), 766-768.

• Martell, J. E. & Rodewald, A. D. (2019, July 17). Precision or persuasion? The science of communicating environmental crises. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/

• Martell, J. E. (2010). Laws on Exotic Animal Ownership. AV Magazine: a publication of the American Anti-vivisection Society, 3 & 4, 26-27.

• Martell, J. E. (2006). Fatal Attractions: Big Cats in the USA. IFAW Report on Dangerous Safety Violations at USDA-Licensed Wildlife Facilities.  International Fund for Animal Welfare. Published report for Congress and USDA. https://d1jyxxz9imt9yb.cloudfront.net/resource/279/attachment/original/FatalAttractions_BigCatsintheUSA.pdf

• Martell, J. E. (2004). Large, Wild Cats as Exotic Pets. International Fund for Animal Welfare. Published report about the practice and cruelties of keeping big cats as pets for congress and the public.

• Cornell CALS Core Value Staff Award, Inclusion
• Town-Gown Award (TOGO)

• Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ Learning Project, Advisory Board Member 
• Faculty Fellow, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
• Society for Risk Analysis
• Society for Conservation Biology