James Giordano

How did you first get into teaching and where do you teach now?
I taught high school for a year after my undergraduate education,studying part-time for a Master’ degree. Then I undertook doctoral studies and while doing my doctoral work received a fellowship to lecture to undergraduates at the University (Hunter College, City University of NY). Upon completing my doctorate, I did two years of post-doctoral fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University in neurotoxicology and pathology, and lectured to graduate and undergraduate students.  My first professorial job was as an Assistant Professor of Neuropharmacology at Drake University in Des Moines, IA (in 1988).

What kind of work do you do in your field?
I am a full professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC.  As well, I am Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program of the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown. My job entails doing research (in brain science, and the ethics of neurotechnology research and its applications), and lecturing to physicians, scientists, and medical and graduate students.  I also am a visiting professor at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany, where I spend about two months every year lecturing (in both German and English) to graduate and undergraduate students.

What is a normal day like?
The great part of my job is that my daily routine varies quite a bit.  Some days are spent primarily lecturing to students, physicians and scientists, while others are devoted to research and writing scholarly papers and grant proposals.  As well, I am often invited to lecture at other universities, colleges, conferences and public venues around the US and internationally, so I travel quite a bit.

How long did it take to earn all of your education?
It took eight (8) years to complete my education ( 4 years of undergraduate, 1 year at the master’s level, and 3 years for a doctorate). I also completed 2 years of post-doctoral work, and two years of post-graduate training in bioethics and health policy.  But, to my view, education is continuous, and is a lifelong event.  I frequently find that I learn much from my students, as well as from my peers and colleagues)

Are you a practicing Dr. or you work at the school as a teaching Doctor?
I work as both a research scientist (in brain sciences) as well as a teacher (teaching graduate and medical students).  I also have the honor and privilege of serving as an appointed advisory (in brain sciences, and ethics) to a number of governmental and international agencies and organizations.

Do you enjoy your career?
I love my career. I get to devote my life to learning, discovery, teaching young colleagues, and speaking to various professional and public audiences about a field that I love. I also enjoy writing (scholarly papers and books), working in media (TV and radio), and travel, so my career affords me a wealth of interest, opportunity, and fun.

Is there anything you wish was different?
current trends in funding for research and educational programs. My research and several of my academic programs are supported by grants, and it’s been my experience that funding, for science, as well as inter-disciplinary scientific and humanities projects, is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain.  Federal funding cuts are felt both in the availability of grants, as well as the duration and amount of funding awarded.  While this certainly makes my research efforts (and the support of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows and technicians) somewhat difficult, it is less of a problem for me as a senior professor.  However, the impact upon more junior faculty – and my students who are entering the field – is notably greater, and in some cases has mitigated their remaining or going into the professoriate as a career; and this is most unfortunate.

What kind of knowledge would you pass onto a student?
It may sound cliched, but the two adages that I would impart to students would be first, that your reach should exceed your grasp.  Always keep learning, and striving to do the very best you can.  And second, that it really is important to pursue what you love (if not your dreams).  The joy I feel at going to work, and satisfaction gained from each day is a true gift, and I am grateful for being able to enjoy a career that has been so professionally, intellectually and personally fulfilling.