Biography

Patricia “Pat” DeLeon taught human genetics at several levels at the University of Delaware (UD) in the department of biological sciences from 1976 to 2019 when she retired. Pat earned a B.Sc. in chemistry and zoology, with honors, and an M.Sc. in medical genetics from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. She holds a Ph.D. in microscopic anatomy from Western University, Ontario, Canada, and pursued post-doctoral studies in molecular genetics in the biology department at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Pat joined the faculty at UD as an Assistant Professor and, as she rapidly rose through the ranks to full professor, used her reproductive genetics research lab to develop her mentoring program, mentoring at several levels from high school girls to graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and junior faculty. Female undergrads comprised the largest group (78% of 104 mentees, 32% minorities) and, in addition to UD students, included visiting summer students from nearby minority access institutions (Lincoln and Delaware State Universities). For undergrads and high schoolers (from Delcastle Votech), the mentoring program was used to introduce mentees to the elements of scientific research in a safe environment. More than half of the 104 undergrads have pursued Ph.D.'s, M.D.'s, or other graduate degrees. Some have pursued careers as professors and are themselves now training undergraduate researchers. Of 18 graduate students mentored – 7 Ph.D. and 11 M.S. – 14 are females. All six female high schoolers later enrolled at UD, an unusual path for students from vocational schools, and one entered medical school while two pursued graduate studies. A keynote speaker on mentoring at national venues, Pat received the Francis Alison award and an honorary degree from UD.