Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hughes.
Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had a fascination with the natural world. It started small with a love of pets and animals. As I got to reading age, I began picking up books about natural habitats and ecosystems across the globe. From there I dove deep into the natural sciences, discovering cellular biology, genetics and taxonomy. With the tools and interests I’d already gathered, I attended Lincoln University of PA (the nations oldest HBCU) for my undergraduate studies, eager to gain even more knowledge about the world around me. A Bachelors in Biology later, I discovered the Bridge to Doctorate program, a merit-based grant program designed to provide the skills needed for Black STEM students to ultimately receive their Doctorate degrees. With their financial backing, I received an assistantship covering my tuition at Delaware State University to receive my Masters Degree in Food Science and Technology. Afterwards I moved to Virginia, where I pursued my Doctorate of Food Science in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite my struggles, I pushed through and graduated. I returned home and briefly worked at George Washington University as a Research Technician in an antibiotic resistance lab. The following year I started a job at the US Department of Agriculture Poultry Research center in Athens GA, where I worked on several different aspects of microbiological safety in food prep environments. I was employed there for 3 years before I decided to shift my career to a more human aspect. I accepted a position at the Morehouse School of Medicine Clinical Research Center where I am happily employed as a Laboratory Manager.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been long with its fair share of bumps. Financial struggles were expected, but there were also emotional struggles including the passing of my father while I was working on my PhD. I lost friends and dealt with varying social environments.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My current job bridges the gap between benchtop science and community impact, which is my favorite thing about it. For one, we get to observe the impact of scientific technology on real people. A lot of benchtop science is theoretical and it takes years before it can make it to the clinical setting. Here we see real patents; we talk to them, observe the effects of treatment, really get to know how they are feeling and how the work has altered their lives.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk taking is a must for any career in my honest opinion. Playing it safe, staying inside your comfort zone will only hold you back and block opportunities. To me, leaving home, moving far from family, pursuing an academic future were all risks that could’ve led to my own failure. But instead, it has done nothing but bless my life.
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