Daisy D. De Leon

Daisy D. De Leon, PhD, is a Professor in the Physiology Division at Loma Linda University's School of Medicine. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms linking insulin-like growth factors (IGF-II) to breast cancer disparities, particularly among African-American women, and explores the role of IGF-II in tumor progression, chemoresistance, and gene imprinting. She has contributed extensively to understanding IGF-binding proteins, estrogen receptor activation, and mitochondrial regulation in cancer cells.

Her publications span 1987–2022, with recent work examining DNA methylation patterns in the INS-IGF2 gene and their impact on tumor biology. Notably, she co-authored articles on the effects of resveratrol on cancer cell apoptosis and the role of IGF-II in neurochemistry (e.g., E-FABP and fatty acid involvement in neuronal differentiation).

Dr. De Leon has secured long-term NIH grants for student development programs and health disparities research, reflecting her commitment to advancing underrepresented minorities in STEM and addressing systemic inequities in cancer outcomes.