Understanding the cause
Uncovering the genetic and biological mechanisms behind nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum.
Discovery with a purpose
Uncovering the causes of pregnancy sickness. Turning discovery into better health for women and future generations.
University of Southern California · Keck School of Medicine

Recognized for changing the field
TIME Women of the Year
Forbes 50 Over 50
Science × BII
Falling Walls
TIME100 Health
The scientist behind the discovery

Marlena Fejzo, PhD is a 2024 TIME Woman of the Year honored for her central role in the discovery of the main cause of morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum. She is a Harvard-trained women’s health scientist who has published peer-reviewed articles on many diseases of women including ovarian and breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and discovered the first genes for uterine fibroids, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
Fejzo’s current work is centered on root cause identification, prediction, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adverse pregnancy conditions including HG and preeclampsia to improve maternal, fetal, and child outcomes.
Our research
Uncovering the genetic and biological mechanisms behind nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum.
Translating discoveries into approaches for predicting risk, preventing illness, and improving diagnosis and treatment.
Investigating adverse pregnancy conditions to improve outcomes for mothers, babies, and children.
In the spotlight
TIME / 2024
Recognizing a scientist whose persistence helped change our understanding of pregnancy sickness.
Read storySCIENCE / BII / 2025
The inaugural Innovations in Women’s Health grand prize honors research on severe morning sickness.
Read storyTHE GUARDIAN / 2023
A discovery linking the hormone GDF15 to pregnancy sickness opens new directions for research.
Read storyScience moves forward, together