Dr. Martz has been a faculty member at CSULA since 1989. Her research interests include the rise of cultural complexity among prehistoric hunter and gatherers and island and coastal adaptations. She has served as the principal investigator for the San Nicolas Island Archaeological Research Program since 1991. The Naval Air Station China Lake, California, sponsors this research program as part of their cultural resource management program. The San Nicolas Island Archaeological Research Program provides numerous opportunities for student research projects.

In 1990, Dr. Martz was appointed by Governor Deukmejian to serve as Prehistoric Archaeologist for the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC) 1990-1994 and reappointed by Governor Wilson 1994-1996. During her tenure with the commission, Dr. Martz served as chairperson 1993-1995, as well as chair of the SHRC Subcommittee on Curation and the chair of the SHRC Subcommittee on Archaeology. She has considerable experience with state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines regarding archaeological and historic preservation and was largely responsible for the preparation and publication of the State of California Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Collections and the Archaeology portion of the 1995 California State Historic Preservation Plan. She has mentored a number of students who have found positions in cultural resource management.

In addition to the archaeological field class (Anth 424 Archaeological Research Methods), Dr. Martz teaches a variety of courses in anthropology including Archaeological analysis, Archaeology of North America, Archaeological Graduate Seminar in Method and Theory, Indians of California, Indians of North America, Cultural Resource Management, Museology, and Introduction to Physical Anthropology.

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Her primary teaching goal is to provide a sound methodological, theoretical, and ethical background for students seeking careers as archaeologists in academia as well as contract archaeology. This includes hands-on-training in archaeological field methods and laboratory analysis, the use of computers for data management and analysis, and exposure to technological applications, such as the Global Positioning System for mapping and the Geographic Information System for data analysis and display.

State and federal laws and regulations regarding cultural resources have changed the entire archaeological profession. Native American issues and the importance of preservation, curation, interpretation and publication, are integral aspects of contemporary archaeology and demand a range of anthropological skills and knowledge. These include an understanding of traditional cultural values, meticulous documentation, and the ability to write and communicate effectively.