Jenny Zhen-Duan
BIO
Joint Assistant Professor and Staff Psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School. Mother of two.
X: @drjennyzd
“What I wasn’t prepared for was the physical toll of my pregnancies.”
I’ve always dreamed of becoming a mother. For years, I listened to peers and mentors debate when the “right time” might be—after tenure, after a big grant, after promotion. For me, it was simpler: the right time was when I felt I could offer my child a secure and stable life.
As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, I’ve navigated academia while also carrying the weight of financial instability and the lack of early educational opportunities. I knew I wanted something different for my children.
In 2019, I earned my PhD, began a postdoctoral fellowship, married, and became part of a dual-income household. For the first time in my adult life, I didn’t need multiple jobs just to make ends meet. It was a turning point—and it felt like the right time to start planning a family. Within two years, I gave birth to two children, and while I had long imagined motherhood, the reality has been even more profound. Becoming a mother is the most meaningful role I’ve ever held.
I tried to prepare myself for the challenges that working mothers face in academia. I’d heard stories of missed opportunities, lack of institutional support, and the unspoken penalties that come with being seen as less available.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the physical toll of my pregnancies. I suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a condition that causes extreme nausea and vomiting—not just in the morning, but around the clock. My second pregnancy was especially difficult, with frequent hospitalizations for dehydration, all while caring for a toddler at home.
There were days I could barely move from the couch, much less engage in the type of parenting I had envisioned. Professionally, I was constantly worried about being sick in the middle of meetings, needing to find discreet exits during events, or being perceived as unreliable. Fortunately, I had a deeply supportive supervisor—a fellow mother—who helped me reduce my workload and encouraged remote work when I needed it. I found solidarity and strength through online HG support communities and slowly learned to give myself the grace I often extend to others.
Starting a family early in my academic journey was a conscious choice. And yes, there have been trade-offs: conferences missed, collaborations declined, fewer networking opportunities, and limited availability beyond the standard workday. Some of these losses were visible; others more subtle—being passed over for speaking invitations, or simply not being on someone’s radar because I wasn’t in the room. But even with those costs, I’ve never regretted the path I’ve chosen.
I’ve built a life that prioritizes presence—being there for my children, celebrating their milestones, and actively shaping their early experiences. Parenting small children while navigating a research career is not easy. It takes flexibility, self-compassion, and constant re-prioritization. Professionally, I focus on work that aligns with my mission and values.
It isn’t always easy, especially in academic environments that glorify overwork and relentless visibility. But I’ve found peace in living a value-driven life, and I practice a lot of self-compassion. But it has also brought me resilience, perspective, and deeper empathy for others navigating invisible challenges.