Howard Markel

Howard Markel is the George E. Wantz Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine and Director of the Center for the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan. He holds a dual background with an M.D. from the University of Michigan (1986) and a Ph.D. in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology from Johns Hopkins University (1994). His research focuses on intellectual/cultural history, science and medicine, U.S. history, and the intersection of pediatrics, communicable diseases, and health policy.

Markel’s publications explore topics such as the history of epidemics, quarantine practices, and the social dimensions of medical innovation. His work includes An Anatomy of Addiction (2011), When Germs Travel (2004), and Quarantine! (1997). He has received recognition for his contributions to medical and historical scholarship.

As a leader in the Center for the History of Medicine, he bridges academic research with public health discourse. His expertise spans interdisciplinary areas, emphasizing historical perspectives on modern health challenges.