Abigail

Marter

Experience

Abigail Marter’s experience brings together clinical care, research, leadership, and collaboration across many different settings. Her career in Navy Medicine and military health research has given her the opportunity to care for patients, guide teams, and help organizations work through complex challenges with clarity and purpose.

Professional Experience

Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory

Captain – Senior Nurse Executive
2024 – Present
  • Served as a clinical leader and medical advisor
  • Supported undersea military research
  • Advised on diving and hyperbaric safety
  • Provided primary care as a Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Trained military medical teams in life support
  • Founded a Research Safety Review Board
  • Strengthened safeguards for high-risk research

United States Naval Medical Research Unit South

Captain – Commanding Officer/Chief Executive Officer
2023 – 2024
  • Led a $65M infectious disease research program
  • Oversaw operations across 10 countries
  • Directed U.S. and Peruvian scientific teams
  • Managed administration, finance, compliance, and research operations
  • Supported research in virology, parasitology, entomology, and clinical trials
  • Served as senior U.S. medical research representative in South America
  • Led strategic planning and staff communication

United States Naval Medical Research Command

Captain – Deputy Commander/Chief Operating Officer
2021 – 2023
  • Oversaw operations for 8 global research commands
  • Managed a $250M enterprise budget
  • Led a 1,600-member workforce
  • Served as strategic advisor and second-in-command
  • Directed compliance, HR, IT, security, logistics, facilities, and public affairs
  • Provided executive leadership across scientific directorates
  • Supported research in infectious disease, biological defense, clinical medicine, and advanced biomedicine
  • Improved staffing and operational processes

United States Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Command

Captain – Associate Director for Professional Education | 2020 - 2021
Special Assistant, Senior Nurse Executive Office | 2020
  • Oversaw operations for 8 global research commands
  • Managed a $250M enterprise budget
  • Led a 1,600-member workforce
  • Served as strategic advisor and second-in-command
  • Directed compliance, HR, IT, security, logistics, facilities, and public affairs
  • Provided executive leadership across scientific directorates
  • Supported research in infectious disease, biological defense, clinical medicine, and advanced biomedicine
  • Improved staffing and operational processes

United States Naval Medical Center & Naval Health Research Center

Commander – Executive Liaison | 2017 – 2020
Commander – Deputy Department Head, Health and Behavioral Sciences | 2016 – 2018
Principal Investigator, Health and Behavioral Sciences | 2015 – 2020
Family Nurse Practitioner, Deployment Health Clinic | 2015 – 2021
  • Oversaw operations for 8 global research commands
  • Managed a $250M enterprise budget
  • Led a 1,600-member workforce
  • Directed compliance, HR, IT, security, logistics, facilities, and public affairs

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Patient Care Manager, Family Medicine Clinic
2007 – 2011
  • Directed clinical care in a high-volume ambulatory setting
  • Led professional development initiatives
  • Founded an 83-member Nurse Practitioner forum
  • Strengthened NP education, leadership, and practice standards
  • Improved clinical protocols through evidence-based updates
  • Drove policy changes that expanded NP scope
  • Supported patient-centered care through Navy’s Medical Homeport pilot
  • Served as the sole advanced practice provider selected for the initiative

Education, Licenses & Certifications

Abigail’s education and certifications reflect her long-standing commitment to nursing, patient care, and leadership. She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of Virginia, her Master of Science in Nursing from Rush University, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester. She is also a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and nationally certified Nurse Executive, Advanced, with licensure as both a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
University of Virginia
Master of Science (MS) in Nursing
Rush University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing
University of Rochester
Board Certified Nurse Practitioner
AANP National Board Certification (current)
Licensed Nurse Practitioner
District of Columbia & Rhode Island Board of Nursing (current)
Registered Nurse
District of Columbia, California & Rhode Island (current)