Dr Hughes is a clinician researcher who is passionate about making a difference. She researches mechanisms of decline in kidney health, the experience of health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and defining and testing innovations in kidney health.
Her mixed methods research includes quantitative measures, longitudinal datasets, qualitative research and partnering with patient experts and community leaders, and clinician collaborators to prioritise and develop research priorities and deliver research impact.
Dr Hughes was a finalist for the 2017 Bupa Health Foundation Emerging Health Researcher of the Year, and received the 2018 Top End Health Service—Service Excellence and Innovation Award for ‘Doing it First’, for designing and implementing Kidney Yarning Circles, Pathways to My Home. She is co-leading the eGFR Study, a longitudinal study of kidney health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults across NT, WA and north QLD.