Irene's parents had first named her Ayako, which means "Splendid" in Japanese. But her piano teacher found it too hard to say. So she called her Irene instead.

Irene loved music and played 3 instruments: violin, piano and the organ.

As a child she was described as "outgoing" and "social".

English 101

Shakespeare's Macbeth

After graduating high school Irene went to study English at the University of British Columbia, and she attended the school for 2 years.

But when her mother and sisters decided to visit Japan, she put her education on hold to join them.

When she started back-up with her education in 1944, Irene began working towards a Master's Degree in Social Work. But her professors told her that she would do well studying Genentics.

social work Vs. Genetics

In 1951 Irene Uchida received her PhD in Human Genetics, and started working a at hospital for children. While working here, she focused on kids with Down Syndrome, congenital heart disease, and twins.