University of North Texas 
Our Team
Donald Dougherty, Ph.D.
Translational Addictions Research Consortium Primary Investigator
Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology
Dr. Dougherty is an internationally recognized translational scientist with more than
30 years of continuous NIH-funded research experience. His work focuses on alcohol
and substance use disorders, integrating laboratory science, clinical trials, behavioral
pharmacology, and biomarker development to better understand drinking behavior and
improve intervention strategies.
His experience includes large-scale clinical and translational infrastructure awards from NIH (e.g., PI on CTSAs and KL2 Career Training Awards). His current work examines objective alcohol monitoring technologies, short-term abstinence interventions, and biomarker-linked health outcomes, bridging basic behavioral science with clinically meaningful endpoints.
Beyond his own research program, Dr. Dougherty has held senior research leadership roles in academic medical centers, where he built research infrastructure, led mentorship initiatives, and supported faculty in securing federal funding. His work is driven by a commitment to advancing translational science and expanding the impact of human behavioral research on public health.
In his free time, Dr. Dougherty likes to go camping, travel, and complete projects around his home.
Current Grant Funding
"Phosphatidylethanol and Other Ethanol Consumption Markers” (R01-AA-022361).
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (09/15/24 to 08/31/28, $3,458,486).
Dr. Dougherty is currently accepting applications for incoming graduate students and undergraduate research assistants for the upcoming academic year. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Dougherty directly for more information.
His experience includes large-scale clinical and translational infrastructure awards from NIH (e.g., PI on CTSAs and KL2 Career Training Awards). His current work examines objective alcohol monitoring technologies, short-term abstinence interventions, and biomarker-linked health outcomes, bridging basic behavioral science with clinically meaningful endpoints.
Beyond his own research program, Dr. Dougherty has held senior research leadership roles in academic medical centers, where he built research infrastructure, led mentorship initiatives, and supported faculty in securing federal funding. His work is driven by a commitment to advancing translational science and expanding the impact of human behavioral research on public health.
In his free time, Dr. Dougherty likes to go camping, travel, and complete projects around his home.
Current Grant Funding
"Phosphatidylethanol and Other Ethanol Consumption Markers” (R01-AA-022361).
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (09/15/24 to 08/31/28, $3,458,486).
Dr. Dougherty is currently accepting applications for incoming graduate students and undergraduate research assistants for the upcoming academic year. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Dougherty directly for more information.
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Graduate Student Researchers
Andrea Mack, M.S.
Graduate Research Assistant
Behavioral Science Doctoral Student
Andrea joined the TARC Lab in Fall 2024 after completing her Master’s at Arizona State
University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in two states.
In the lab, she assists with research that uses remote monitoring technologies to
track alcohol use in real-world settings. Her research interests include delay discounting,
behavioral interventions for substance use, and quality of life outcomes. She is particularly
interested in how different motives and patterns of use affect various life domains.
Andrea's career goal is to work within healthcare networks to lead clinical program
development, ensuring that the evidence-based strategies developed in research labs
are successfully implemented to support those with behavioral health needs. In her
free time, she enjoys painting, crocheting, and hanging out with her sweet puppy,
Lyla.
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Post-Baccalaureate Researchers
Chris Haczkiewicz, B.A.
Research Assistant
Chris is a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the TARC Lab and received his
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marquette University in May 2024. His research
interests focus on substance use and eating pathology, including how substance use
impacts disordered eating and contributes to barriers to treatment engagement.
In the fall, Chris will begin a PhD program in clinical psychology, where he will train in a substance use intervention-focused lab. In his free time, Chris enjoys logging every movie he watches on letterboxd and being physically active.
In the fall, Chris will begin a PhD program in clinical psychology, where he will train in a substance use intervention-focused lab. In his free time, Chris enjoys logging every movie he watches on letterboxd and being physically active.
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Undergraduate Student Researchers
Daniela Loredo
Research Assistant
Daniela received her associate degree from Paris Junior College through a dual credit program.
She is a current undergraduate student majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology.
Her interests lie in the improvement of psychological software programs. She plans
to pursue graduate school and is looking forward to a career in research! For fun, Daniela enjoys sewing, drawing,
and gardening.
Hazel Fansler
Research Assistant
Hazel is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology as well as a minor
in Criminal Justice. She hopes to further her journey into the world of forensics
by getting her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She joined the TARC Lab in Fall of 2025.
Her long-term goal is to work in correctional therapy.
Lab Alumni
The TARC Lab is proud to recognize the following researchers, assistants, and staff
who have contributed to our mission of advancing translational addictions science.
We are grateful for their dedication to developing sustainable, technology-driven
solutions for alcohol misuse and for their role in expanding the public health impact
of our research.
- Alaya Ahmad
- Diego Heimlich
- Brooke White
- Katy McDonough
- Linda Thompson
- Shannon Smith
- Julie Martin
- Jordan Hooks
- Shannon Doyle
- Ruston Whitus
- Alexis Chaney
- Alex Baker
- Reagan Dickson
- Madison Kanneman