For Irene Dougherty, a Research Associate celebrating 35 years at UT Southwestern, the best parts of her job include enjoying time with co-workers while knowing the research can help patients and give hope for a cure.

Irene Dougherty

She manages two different labs in the Department of Dermatology. One, run by Dr. Kiyoshi Ariizumi and Dr. Ponciano Cruz, both Professors of Dermatology, studies inflammatory diseases as well as skin and other cancers. The other, headed by Dr. Donald Glass, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and in the Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, investigates why protruding scars known as keloids occur and what genes give rise to them.

I love the research going on at UT Southwestern and how it can help current and future patients, Ms. Dougherty says. I really enjoy the people I work for and all of my co-workers. I’ve met so many unique individuals from all over the world. It’s just a great environment in which to learn and help others.

Ms. Dougherty’s enthusiasm and positive attitude have not gone unnoticed. She is a joy to be around, says Rose Cannon, a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Department, “and she has a very big heart.”

She is truly the most pleasant, helpful person I have ever worked with, adds Jo Urquhart, a Dermatology Department employee who has worked with Ms. Dougherty for 26 years.

Long relationships are cherished by Ms. Dougherty. In June, she will celebrate her 39th wedding anniversary with husband Joel, a hazardous waste enforcement officer for the Environmental Protection Agency. They have two daughters, Emiko, a medical technologist with Texas Health Resources, and Mariko, a speech pathologist in Irving.

Ms. Dougherty’s favorite hobby outside of work? I love to be with my family.