معرفی
Marlena Fejzo, PhD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), working in the Center for Genetic Epidemiology. She also collaborates with Materna Biosciences, Inc. Her research focuses on women’s health, particularly conditions such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, uterine fibroids, and severe pregnancy complications like hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Dr. Fejzo holds a PhD in Genetics from Harvard University (1995). She has published extensively on HG, identifying genetic risk factors such as GDF15 and IGFBP7. Her work challenges outdated theories of HG’s psychosomatic origins and advocates for evidence-based care. She serves as a science advisor and board member for the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, advancing patient advocacy and clinical understanding.
Education:
- PhD in Genetics, Harvard University, 1995
Research Interests: Dr. Fejzo’s work centers on genetic epidemiology of pregnancy-related conditions, particularly HG and its recurrence risk, neurodevelopmental impacts, and treatment efficacy. She employs GWAS, whole-exome sequencing, and clinical cohort studies to uncover genetic and environmental factors influencing disease severity and outcomes. Her studies emphasize translational research, aiming to improve diagnostic tools (e.g., the HELP Score) and therapeutic strategies for HG patients.
Grants & Collaborations: Her research is supported by collaborations with institutions like Materna Biosciences and the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation. Key projects include investigating fetal-maternal GDF15 signaling and exploring cannabis use for HG symptom management. She has also validated clinical prediction models for HG severity.
Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Center for Genetic Epidemiology at USC, where she leads studies on genetic determinants of complex diseases, particularly in reproductive health contexts.
