Jorge Alfredo Leon

What through the radiance which was once so bright. Be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendour in the grass or glory in the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.

In Loving Memory

Dr. Jorge Alfredo Leon

9/11/1953 to 9/20/2025 

In early 2023 Jorge was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer.  After bravely battling his cancer for almost three years he peacefully passed away on September 20, 2025, at his home in Mendota Heights, MN, surrounded by his loving family.

Jorge is survived by his wife and life partner, Dawn, daughter Laura, and son Jacob (Jacobo).  He is also survived by his brothers Armando, Gerardo and Andres and sisters Clara and Loretta as well as nieces and nephews, an extended loving family in Colombia, and a network of friends.

Legacy

Jorge Leon was an internationally recognized expert and pioneer in the development and commercialization of clinical molecular diagnostics. 

Jorge studied and was awarded a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from NYU and completed his post doctoral studies at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany and Columbia University in NYC.  Jorge’s post-doctoral and subsequent academic work at Columbia University in NYC focused on the early development of monoclonal antibody based tumor marker assays, circulating tumor cell detection and in vivo imaging devices that are currently being used in the market.

Jorges’s career transitioned into industry in 1990 where he played an integral role in the founding and growing of the molecular diagnostics laboratories at Quest Diagnostics Incorporated.  During his twelve-year tenure as Director of Molecular Diagnostics, Senior Director of Biotechnology Development and Vice President of Applied Genomics, Jorge focused on building the Quest Diagnostic molecular menu and driving the molecular diagnostics strategy (which in the day was the largest molecular diagnostics service laboratory in the world with over 1.5 billion in revenues).

In 2003, Jorge founded, with his wife Dawn, Leomics Associates, Inc., a consulting firm, that selectively engaged with a distinguished group of customers focused on catalyzing the development of molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine tools in the US and globally.  Leomics Associates specialized in identifying breakthrough opportunities and applying Jorge’s proven ability to predict the trends and directions of the clinical esoteric diagnostics business. 

Through Leomics Associates Jorge focused his expertise in three of the mega trends of diagnostics: Personalized Medicine (tests to predict risk of disease, drug response and to predict the course of disease), Early Detection of Cancer, and Novel Technology Platforms including Point of Care for the Globalization of Molecular Diagnostics.

Throughout his adult life Jorge influenced and supported others in their career and life goals.  His ability to “see through the fog and connect the dots” (his catchphrase) gave him insights into the industry he loved, his family, friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be held later in California where Jorge’s family and friends can come together and share their love for and memories of the unique man that Jorge was.