Across 15 years as a laboratory manager at CenExel Clinical Research, Anna Luz Belarmino-De Leon, MD, has established a distinguished career in clinical trials. Active with the organization since 2010, she manages laboratory operations, overseeing the preparation and processing of human samples in accordance with specific study protocols. Dr. De Leon’s leadership extends to supervising more than 30 full-time laboratory technicians, ensuring that all tasks are executed efficiently to provide high-quality results. Her comprehensive knowledge of various study protocols enables her to anticipate sponsor requirements and deliver critical information, making her an invaluable asset to CenExel.
Under Dr. De Leon’s guidance, the Anaheim, California, branch has become the leading CenExel site, with a particular focus on phase one clinical trials. She has collaborated closely with such major pharmaceutical partners as Pfizer, Novartis and Amgen, contributing significantly to understanding medication effects, dosage adequacy and other study objectives. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. De Leon played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic by opening up CenExel’s Anaheim location to support vaccine development efforts. She ensured that all patient volunteers were fully informed about their participation and that sample collection adhered strictly to protocol requirements.
Prior to transitioning to clinical research, Dr. De Leon served as a general practitioner in her home country of the Philippines. Although she no longer practices medicine, her medical background has been instrumental in overseeing laboratory operations and advancing clinical research initiatives. Dr. De Leon finds deep fulfillment in seeing how her work benefits society and aids individuals struggling with illnesses. One of her team’s most notable projects was working with Novo Nordisk on the development of the first GLP-1 weight loss medications.
Dr. De Leon’s performance in the field was born of her academic journey. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 2001. Subsequently, Dr. De Leon earned an MD from the same institution in 2005. Her decision to pursue medicine was influenced by her family’s long-standing involvement in health care. Her siblings and parents are all medical professionals whose dedication inspired her own commitment to service.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Dr. De Leon has garnered esteem through her affiliation with industry-related organizations. Most recently, she joined the executive board of the University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association of Southern California in 2026. Dr. De Leon currently serves as the organization’s secretary, combining her passion for her career with her respect for her heritage. She also fulfills her civic duty as a volunteer at her daughter’s school and in the local community, reflecting her dedication to service beyond the workplace.
In her personal life, Dr. De Leon is happily married to her husband, Jefferson De Leon, and is a loving mother to two children. She fills her free time with her favorite pastimes: traveling, reading books and engaging in equestrian activities.
Committed to inspiring future generations of women in her field, Dr. De Leon is focused on engaging with more mentorship opportunities as she moves forward. She proudly offers guidance to her daughters and to her team of laboratory technicians — advising them not only professionally but also personally — as part of her ongoing efforts to foster growth and empowerment among young women and her colleagues more broadly.