Dr. Hughey obtained her B.S. in Chemistry from Berry College (Mt. Berry, GA) and her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL). She began her academic career at Chapman University (Orange, CA) and moved to JMU in 2010. Her research focuses on the use of mass spectrometry and metabolomics-based techniques to characterize food and natural products.

Dr. Hughey teaches General Chemistry I and Instrumental Analysis. Her scholarship and teaching have been recognized by numerous awards including the Roberts Endowment for Faculty Excellence, the Ford Faculty Award, and the American Society for Mass Spectrometry PUI research award. She is also a SCHEV Outstanding Faculty nominee.

Dr. Hughey first formed a relationship with ODS as director of the NSF-supported Chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program (2019-2024) that provided a 10-week summer research experience to Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. This work, along with a son with retinitis pigmentosa, has given Dr. Hughey a personal appreciation for the importance of disability services and inclusion in higher education. She sees her faculty liaison role as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of disability advocacy, to support students with disabilities, and to help her colleagues navigate the accommodation process with confidence.

Outside of JMU, Dr. Hughey is a homesteader who gardens, raises chickens, and prepares garden-to-table meals for her family and friends.