Discovery with a purpose

Marlena Fejzo, PhDScience for women’s health.

Uncovering the causes of pregnancy sickness. Turning discovery into better health for women and future generations.

University of Southern California · Keck School of Medicine

Marlena Fejzo speaking on a panel at the TIME100 Health summit

Recognized for changing the field

The scientist behind the discovery

A personal mission.
A scientific breakthrough.

Marlena Fejzo standing in a laboratory doorway

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

Better questions.
Life-changing answers.

Explore our work
01 / GENETICS & DISCOVERY

Understanding the cause

Uncovering the genetic and biological mechanisms behind nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum.

02 / PREDICTION & PREVENTION

From discovery to care

Translating discoveries into approaches for predicting risk, preventing illness, and improving diagnosis and treatment.

03 / MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH

Health across generations

Investigating adverse pregnancy conditions to improve outcomes for mothers, babies, and children.

In the spotlight

Discovery makes headlines.

All news & media

Science moves forward, together

Help change the future
of women’s health.

Connect with us