Leona Samson

Leona Samson is a Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Department of Biology. She is known for her research on alkylating agents, toxic chemicals used in chemotherapy that can damage DNA. Her work focused on understanding the genes that protect cells against alkylation toxicity and the molecular mechanisms by which these agents signal downstream events. Samson is no longer accepting students. She holds the title of Uncas and Helen Whitaker Professor Emerita and American Cancer Society Research Professor Emerita. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2021), Radcliffe Fellow (2013-2014), and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2007).

Leona D. Samson is a Professor Emerita in Biological Engineering and Biology at MIT, known for her research on DNA repair mechanisms and their implications in health and disease. Her work explores the molecular basis of DNA damage response, particularly in the context of alkylating agents, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. She has investigated DNA repair pathways in organisms such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and humans, with a focus on base excision repair, mismatch repair, and the role of DNA damage in cancer. Her research also addresses the impact of environmental factors, such as pollution and inflammation, on genomic stability and disease progression.