In her role as a Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist in the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, Linda Watkins helps keep vital research going.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Ms. Watkins first started working at UT Southwestern as a Research Technician II in the Department of Pathology. She then advanced to Senior Research Scientist and a Lab Manager in the Department of Pharmacology.

“Unless they know me well, people don’t realize that I spent more than 25 years in the lab before transitioning to the administrative side of research eight years ago,” she says.

In 1985, she met her husband, David, while working on a research project at the institution. The couple have a son, Tanner, who is completing his master’s degree at the University of North Texas.

Her favorite thing about UT Southwestern? “The people,” she says. “I have met so many talented, interesting, and nice people – they make my day!”

Most of her UTSW colleagues describe her as quiet, dependable, personable, and detail-oriented, Ms. Watkins says.

“I love to read books, especially mysteries and science fiction, on my lunch hour and while riding the train to and from work each day,” she adds. Other hobbies include cooking, gardening, and refinishing old furniture. She also enjoys Saturday morning boot camp workouts and hiking with her Labrador retriever, Kenlee.

She grows lots of plants in her office – especially violets. Had she not pursued a career in scientific research, she would have liked to have been a landscape architect.

“Creating beautiful and relaxing sanctuaries for others to enjoy would be so satisfying.  We all need to take time to relax in amazing surroundings to nurture a positive mindset,” Ms. Watkins says.

When she retires, she plans to visit every national park in the U.S. and travel the world so that she can enjoy those beautiful and relaxing sanctuaries.