Hannah Landecker

Hannah Landecker is a Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in the Division of Life Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles. She holds cross-appointments in the Sociology Department and the Institute for Society and Genetics, blending historical, sociological, and anthropological approaches to study the life sciences and biotechnology.

• Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2000)
• B.Sc. in Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia (1993)

Her research explores intersections of biology and technology, focusing on metabolism, epigenetics, and the historical evolution of life science practices. Current projects include her book American Metabolism, analyzing shifts in metabolic sciences driven by epigenetics and microbiomics.

Recent publications examine topics like in vitro gametogenesis ethics, cryopreservation technologies, and environmental determinants of health, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus on how biological processes are shaped by social and technological contexts.

Scientific Awards:

• 2024 Eby Award for the Art of Teaching, UCLA Distinguished Teaching Prize
• 2021-2022 Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Invited Fellow
• 2018-2019 USC Dornsife Berggruen Institute Fellowship
• 2013 American Council of Learned Societies Scholar’s Award
• 2008 Suzanne J. Levinson Book Award, History of Science Society

Landecker co-directs UCLA’s Center for Reproductive Science, Health & Education and serves as a Senior Editor at BioSocieties. Her work bridges academic rigor with public engagement, featured in media outlets and art catalogs.