Susan Gelman is a prominent psychologist known for her research in cognitive development and the psychology of concepts. She is a professor at the University of Michigan, where she focuses on how children and adults categorize the world around them. Her work has significantly contributed to our understanding of how people form concepts and the implications for education and cognitive science. Gelman has published numerous articles and books, including her influential work on essentialism and how it affects children's thinking. She has received several awards for her research and is recognized as a leading figure in the field of developmental psychology.