Robert M. Hughes

Robert M. Hughes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry within East Carolina University's Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. His research develops protein and small molecule reagents for controlling biochemical pathways, with applications in neurodegenerative disease modeling and therapeutic development.

Dr. Hughes' educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Bio-Organic Chemistry, UNC Chapel Hill (2007)
• Graduate Study in Physical Chemistry, East Carolina University (2002)
• B.S./B.A., Washington and Lee University (1998)

His primary research integrates optogenetics, protein engineering, and biocatalysis to create novel tools for cellular control. Key projects include CRY-BARs for membrane architecture manipulation, CofActor for modeling cofilin-actin pathology in Alzheimer's disease, OptoBax for light-induced apoptosis, and protaTETHER for optimizing protein fusions. The lab employs advanced techniques including fluorescence microscopy, mammalian cell culture, and enzyme screening to develop reagents that monitor oxidative stress and initiate controlled cell death pathways.

Recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate strong interdisciplinary output across biochemistry, neuroscience, and chemical education, with increasing focus on educational applications through ECU's CURE program. His work shows consistent innovation in optogenetic tool development and biocatalysis for sustainable chemistry.

Students in the Hughes Lab receive comprehensive training in molecular and cellular techniques while contributing to active research projects. The lab actively participates in the CURE program, providing undergraduate organic chemistry students with authentic research experiences in enzyme screening and green synthesis.

The Hughes Lab operates within ECU's Department of Chemistry, maintaining collaborations with UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University. Current projects emphasize translational applications of optogenetic tools for biomedical research and educational innovation in chemical biology.