Marcelo Martínez Ferro is an Argentine pediatric surgeon recognized for his pioneering contributions to minimally invasive surgery, fetal-neonatal surgery, and the treatment of thoracic wall deformities. He has introduced innovations that have transformed pediatric surgical practice worldwide throughout his career.

He graduated from the University of Buenos Aires Medical School in 1983 and completed his residency in Pediatric Surgery at the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital. In 1988, he joined the J.P. Garrahan National Children's Hospital, where he worked for 15 years, focusing on improving the survival rates of neonates undergoing surgery. His interest in fetal surgery and minimally invasive techniques led him to complete a fellowship at the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center in 1992, which solidified his passion for fetal surgery.

In the early 1990s, he pioneered minimally invasive pediatric surgeries, including laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, in South America, having performed over 3,000 such procedures. Among his most notable achievements is the development of the Dynamic Compressor System FMF, an intelligent orthosis for the non-surgical treatment of pectus carinatum. He has also been instrumental in developing innovative surgical techniques for treating thoracic wall deformities, such as pectus excavatum and Poland syndrome. He has made significant advancements in treating esophageal atresia and hepatobiliary disorders. In 2001, he was part of the team that performed the first fetal surgery in Argentina and all of South America on a patient with myelomeningocele.

Martínez Ferro has also led the formation of high-performance surgical teams, founding the Grupo de Cirugía Pediátrica SRL, a collaborative model that has optimized teamwork in pediatric surgery. His academic output is extensive, with over 150 publications and authorship of the books Neonatal Surgery and Feto-Neonatal Surgery. He served as president of the International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG) from 2010 to 2011 and has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Chest Wall International Group for over 10 years, currently serving as scientific secretary.

His research continues to explore new technologies, including the applications of 3D printing in pediatric surgery, and he remains a global leader in developing new surgical techniques and medical devices.