Virginia Hughes

Virginia Hughes is a Professor and Vice Department Chair in the Department of Medical & Molecular Sciences at the University of Delaware's College of Health Sciences. She also serves as Director of the Medical Diagnostics (Pre-PA) program. Her research focuses on hematology, immunohematology, and transfusion medicine, with notable contributions to stem cell research and biomedical policy analysis.

Education: Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Auburn University (dissertation on embryonic stem cell policy), M.S. in Biomedical Research from University of Maryland (thesis on bone morphogenetic protein effects on stem cells), and B.S. in Medical and Research Technology.

Key achievements include the AABB-Fenwal Research Award and ASCLS Graduate Student Research Award. Her scholarly work includes book chapters in Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices and Medical Laboratory Science Review, as well as authoring the Specialist in Blood Banking Study Guide.

Teaches MEDT 375: Statistics and Research Methods. Active in undergraduate research mentorship and interdisciplinary education initiatives through the Center for Simulation Innovation.