V. Daniel Castracane

V. Daniel Castracane of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, passed away on November 12, 2025, after a brief illness. 

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 16, 1940, to Sabina Mariano Castracane and Louis Castracane, who immigrated to the United States from the small town of Fallo, in Abruzzo, Italy. He was raised in Philadelphia and Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Dan received a B.A. in Biology from Temple University (1962), an M.S. in Biology from Villanova University (1966) and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Rutgers University (1972). He subsequently had additional training with NIH Postdoctoral Fellowships in Steroid Biochemistry at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, and in Reproductive Physiology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Dan started his career as a Scientist at the Southwest Foundation for Research and Education in San Antonio, Texas, and subsequently joined the faculty at Texas Tech University School of Medicine at Amarillo where he served as Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1985-1990), and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1990-2002) in Amarillo and Odessa (2007-2015). He was appointed Professor Emeritus at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock in 2016. He continued to publish until the start of his recent illness.

His research in the reproductive endocrinology of various primate species elucidated the secretion patterns of the major steroid hormones in these species. His studies pioneered the role of leptin in reproductive processes in various primate species including humans. Additional research included physiology of pregnancy, obesity, and exercise physiology. He was most fortunate to have a series of exceptional co-investigators who contributed to these studies.

Dan was a prolific writer of works describing his studies. His work resulted in the publication of over 170 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. In addition, over 263 abstracts describing the studies were presented at national and international meetings of important societies in the field including The Endocrine Society, the Society for the Study of Reproduction, and The Society for Gynecologic (Reproductive) Investigation. Dan’s work has been cited over 7,000 times, which reflects the value of his contributions to the field.

Dan served as Guest Editor of several journals and was a sought-after reviewer of the work of other scientists. He served as an Editorial Board Member of 30 leading journals in the field of reproductive physiology such as Biology of Reproduction and Journal of Medical Primatology.

Additional professional activities consisted of serving as a member of several NIH Review and Special Emphasis Panels (study sections) for NICHHD and NIDDK and the Contraceptive Development Branches. In addition, he served as a grant reviewer for a variety of additional organizations including the March of Dimes.

He was a most dedicated teacher who was tireless in serving as the research mentor to 24 resident physicians, 4 Ph.D. students, 5 M.S. students and numerous undergraduate students. Dan was a loyal faculty member who served on numerous important committees at Texas Tech University School of Medicine.

His service to Texas Tech University School of Medicine was clearly recognized by the university. He was honored by the university with several prestigious awards, including The Provost’s Academic Achievement Award, the Clinical Teaching Award, and the Excellence in Teaching Award.

The quality of his research and the superb nature of his character resulted in his being accepted into membership of various illustrious societies, including The Endocrine Society, the Society for the Study of Reproduction, and The Society for Gynecologic (Reproductive) Investigation.

Dan felt his greatest achievement was his family and he is especially remembered as a loving father and husband. Dan had varied interests and was knowledgeable on many subjects. He had a library of hundreds of books on many topics including history, science, arts, and biographies, all of which he had read and loved. One of his favorite saying was, “So many books, so little time”. He was a great appreciator of the arts in many forms, including, but not limited to, the visual arts, theatre, and music, especially classical and jazz. He was a great cook, a lifelong stamp collector, and a contributor to many charitable organizations. He was especially loved for his terrific sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Melissa Baldwin Castracane; his three daughters, Catherine Castracane Zahiri (Hassan Zahiri), Teresa Castracane (Patrick Kilpatrick), and Jennifer Francesca Castracane (Eric Pedersen); his grandchildren, Joseph Daniel Zahiri, Sabina Catherine Zahiri, Finn Daniel Kilpatrick, and Henry Gwydion Kilpatrick; his stepchildren, Stacy Lynn Ingle (Jeremy Ingle) and Anthony Baldwin McCall, and grandchildren, Tristen Corbel Ingle and Everett Miles Ingle. He was predeceased by both his parents and his only sister, Angela Schultz.

Memorial Mass will be held 10:00 AM Friday, November 21, 2025 at St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St, West Chester, PA. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Philabundance at www.philabundance.org/donate/ or Willow Tree Hospice at https://www.amedisys.com/services/hospice-care/donations/ or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate