Facing challenges is to Cynthia Jordan as searching for cheese is to a mouse.
“I seem to always choose the harder path. When I entered graduate school, I had no business being there because I had an arts background and very little science. But it’s the challenge that draws me,” said Jordan, who received a masters degree in physiological psychology and is part of the Neuroscience program at MSU.
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program associate professor and three others recently overcame the odds when their research involving testosterone levels in mice inadvertently revealed information useful to finding a cure for Kennedy’s Disease.
“I was doing very straightforward, boring research — I didn’t do any fancy manipulation — and out comes a very exciting answer,” Jordan said.
Jordan’s research findings shouldn’t come as a major surprise given her history of indirectly finding the right solution.
The Vermont-native said she was pursuing a career in music before taking a college class in physiological psychology that made her reconsider her career choice.
“It was taking that course — I saw it as very gratifying to look at the nuts and bolts, and think about starting to understand how the brain works,” Jordan said.
The 52-year-old who enjoys cooking and doing seamstress work said her love for doing hands-on work contributes to her desire to research.
“I actually like being in the lab using my hands. It’s very satisfying to do something and have some secret in nature revealed to you,” Jordan said.
The graduate of Concordia University in Montreal arrived at MSU in 2001 after spending about 12 years at the University of California at Berkeley.
“It’s very supportive. There’s a sense of community here that I think both the faculty and the students feel,” Jordan said.
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