Susan E. Lederer

Susan E. Lederer is the Robert Turell and Ronald L. Numbers Professor of Medical History and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a joint appointment in Medical History & Bioethics and teaches courses such as History of Science 523 and MHB 668. Her research focuses on medicine and society in 20th-century America, race and public health, medical ethics, and the intersection of medicine with popular culture. Lederer earned her Ph.D. (1987), M.A. (1979), and B.A. (1977) in History of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Johns Hopkins University, respectively.

Her scholarly work includes two major books: Flesh and Blood: Organ Transplantation and Blood Transfusion in 20th Century America (2008) and Subjected to Science: Human Experimentation in America before the Second World War (1995). Her articles explore themes like cancer in Hollywood films, ethical dimensions of human experimentation, and historical perspectives on biomedical commodification. She has advised doctoral student Elizabeth Yun.

Lederer’s research trends emphasize critical analysis of medical ethics across historical contexts, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations and the ethical implications of biomedical advancements. Her publications span academic journals in medical history and ethics, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with science, culture, and policy.