Lab Girl

by

Hope Jahren

Walter, the Department Chair Character Analysis

When Jahren was working at Johns Hopkins University, she and Clint had a baby. While she was pregnant with her son, her department chair banned her from her own lab, citing liability issues related to her pregnancy. Jahren was irate, and years later, she and Clint moved to Hawaii in search of a more inclusive set of colleagues.
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Walter, the Department Chair Character Timeline in Lab Girl

The timeline below shows where the character Walter, the Department Chair appears in Lab Girl. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 3: Flowers and Fruit
Women and Science Theme Icon
Mental Illness and Treatment Theme Icon
...listening to the humming of the machines. On the way to the lab, she sees Walter, her department chair, and stands at attention like a soldier. She feels faint, and has... (full context)
Women and Science Theme Icon
Mental Illness and Treatment Theme Icon
Later that day, Clint comes to Jahren’s office with some devastating news: Walter has requested that she not come into the building while on medical leave, citing liability... (full context)