Martin Holmes (he/him) is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto St. George. He holds a PhD in Public Health Sciences from the University of Waterloo, where his research focused on food literacy—the knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to food—and health measurement. His academic background is rooted in urban ecology, with previous research exploring downtown revitalization efforts and access to public parks and recreation opportunities.
As part of the SAUCY Lab under the direction of Dr. Michael Widener, Martin is contributing to the second iteration of the Canadian Food Environment Database (CanFED). This data, part of the Healthy Eating and Supportive Environments (HEAL) initiative, will be used to investigate how food environments shape dietary intake and health outcomes. His work involves applying statistical methods and geographic information systems (GIS) to assess food landscapes, identify spatial differences in food access and model associations between food access from an equity perspective.
Martin’s experience and current research follow his overarching interest in integrating spatial analysis with public health to inform urban planning and policy. His goal is to advance research that supports the development of healthier, sustainable, and resilient cities that promote population health for everyone.
In addition to research, Martin has been a part-time faculty member at Nipissing University for the past 13 years, where he teaches various undergraduate geography courses.
Outside of academia, Martin is an avid traveller and enjoys staying active through soccer and swimming. He has a passion for cooking and exploring recipes from around the globe. He is currently revelling in life with his two cats, Broccoli and Brussel Sprout - who provide a daily dose of chaos and entertainment.