Jordan G. Lewis, PhD (she/her)

Academic scientist turned public servant, with diverse experience in policy- and grant-making, communication to lay audiences, research, and data analysis and visualization. Passionate about evidence-based policy that lowers barriers to equity and dismantles societal stigmas toward marginalized communities.

Over the past 9 years, I’ve served in various policy leadership roles for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I have extensive experience in policy, legislative, and regulatory analysis and development; grantmaking; report-writing; data analysis and visualization; strategic program development and implementation; stakeholder engagement; and meeting facilitation. I strive to bring a mix of creativity, pragmatism, and empathy to everything I do.

I'm also passionate about communicating complex topics and debunking misinformation. While working in biomedical research, I reached over 20 million readers through articles written for CNN, NBC, Scientific American, Nature, The Washington Post, and more. My award-winning science communication has also been featured in blogs, book chapters, public speaking events (including an official TED talk), and press interviews.

Prior to public service, I have a decade of varied research experience, ranging from epidemiological models and working with human subjects to studying animal behavior, cell models for disease, performing chemical extraction, and regenerative biology. I received a PhD in Neuroscience from Penn State College of Medicine in 2016, followed by postdoctoral research in their Department of Psychiatry. In 2011, I graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary's College of Maryland with a BA in Biology and Neuroscience.

I enjoy staying connected with my alma maters and mentoring STEM students and postdocs on careers outside of the traditional tenure track, showing them how their unique skillset can benefit sectors where their voice is needed now more than ever.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, being outdoors, weightlifting, baking, and knitting. Most importantly, I’m married to an incredible addiction medicine provider, and a proud mom to two energetic, sweet boys. They all keep me grounded, put life in perspective, and make sure I see the sunrise daily!