Marisa Jacob-Leonce, MD, is the director of Autopsy and is an assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She is board-certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology. Dr. Jacob-Leonce completed her pathology residency, and surgical pathology fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and a forensic pathology fellowship at the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.  She has practiced as a consultant forensic pathologist on several Caribbean islands, including her native St. Lucia, where she was also an assistant professor at Spartan Health Sciences University, School of Medicine from where she graduated. Dr. Jacob-Leonce was also a board member of the St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association and co-founder/Director of JL Consulting Inc. which provided autopsy services to the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla. She is a member of multiple pathology organizations including the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).  

Her interests include advancing autopsy education, mentoring future pathologists—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—and enhancing the integration of forensic pathology into clinical care and public health systems. She is also dedicated to helping reshape pathology services in the Caribbean region. She is married and a proud mother of two active and fun-loving children. She enjoys spending time with family, watching documentaries, listening to nonfiction crime podcasts, and baking.