Ned Feder

Ned Feder, scientist and activist for integrity in science and medicine, died at home surrounded by family on March 26, 2024, at the age of 95.

Dr. Feder was born in Minneapolis, MN to Max and Sarah Feder. He spent most of his childhood and was educated in New York City, graduating from the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. He got his BS from Harvard College and did post-graduate work, including teaching, in chemistry and biology. He received his MD from Harvard Medical School, followed by an internship at Philadelphia General, and then spent three years as a senior assistant surgeon at the US Public Health Service/National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. In 1958, he returned to Harvard as a special trainee of the US Public Health service where he engaged in research for three years. He was then hired by Harvard as a lecturer and assistant professor of biology, a job that he held for six years.

In 1960, Dr. Feder met Eva Dubsky at a political rally, and took her on a first date to explore a cave. Having passed this test, they were married in 1961, had two daughters, Sylvia and Susanna, and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary shortly before his death. Dr. Feder was a devoted husband and father. He was curious about the world and enriched his family's life through a series of adventures such as a long road trip to view a complete solar eclipse and bringing his family along when he went to the jungles of Puerto Rico to collect snails for his research.

Dr. Feder was the epitome of a lifelong learner. His interests led him to pursue many adventures, such as participating in an expedition to explore an infamous cave (Frank Collins Crystal Cave), rock climbing in New England, and taking part in an organized citywide bike ride though all the boroughs of New York at age 71. He cherished celebrations with his immediate and extended family, and friends. He also loved to share with visitors the beauty and treasures of Washington, DC and Maryland, where the family lived for 50 years. He equally enjoyed Washington state, where he moved with his family in 2017, and never tired of catching a glimpse of Mt. Rainier on a clear day.

In 1967, he returned to the NIH to fill a research position, and remained there until his retirement 40 years later. The focus of his work ranged widely from studies on fungus and fungal infections, to developing methods of preparing tissues to better view and understand the life of cells. Some of the techniques he developed are still in use today.

In 1986, Dr. Feder and a colleague, Walter Stewart, became interested in and began to study the issue of professional misconduct among scientists, and found significant deviations from ethical standards in many cases. Their published papers were controversial and drew attention from the press, their employer, and also Capitol Hill. In 1993, senior officials at NIH directed Dr. Feder and his colleague to stop their ongoing studies on misconduct, and they were reassigned to administrative positions. Dr. Feder's assignment was a position in grant review administration.

Dr. Feder retired from NIH in 2006, on a Friday, and on the next Monday morning, he started the next chapter of his life, as a volunteer staff scientist at POGO (Project on Government Oversight), during which time he used his extensive experience, education, and knowledge to investigate and document threats to public health. For example, he researched and documented the lack of adequate pandemic preparation – and this was years before COVID19.

Over the years, Dr. Feder published articles in the scientific and lay press on a wide range of topics including histochemistry, cell biology, mycology, and scientific misconduct and conflicts of interest. While at POGO, Dr Feder investigated and wrote about threats to public health in programs of the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA.

Dr. Feder was noted for his moral compass and his generosity on many levels – mentoring students and colleagues, and giving time and attention to people who came to him with problems or concerns. He is particularly remembered and cherished for the efforts that he made to counsel whistleblowers and protect them from retaliation. Both personally and professionally, he felt committed to helping people who lacked power.

He is survived by his wife Eva; daughter Sylvia; sister Myra Nelson, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter Susanna.

Memorial services will be held privately at a later date. Donations in Dr. Feder's memory should be made to Project on Government Oversight, Union of Concerned Scientists, or Harvard Medical School.