Jillian Hughes, ’26
B.S. Public Health & Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2023)
Email: jehughes3@uncg.edu
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Hi! My name is Jillian and I’m a second-year student at UNCG. I’m originally from Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a dual degree in Public Health and Biology. Some valuable experiences I had in undergrad include volunteering for the Crisis Text Line, serving as a General Genetics teaching assistant, interning for an environmental public health podcast, and working as a 1:1 aide at a hospital school for individuals with disabilities. My research experience consists of working as a student research assistant in an environmental health sciences lab and completing an undergraduate honors thesis investigating the portrayal of genetics in science fiction novels.
In my gap year I worked as a teaching assistant at Perkins School for the Blind in the Deafblind Program. I additionally held a part-time job as a remote genetic counseling assistant for Genexsure on their cardiology team. Throughout all of these valuable experiences, I take time away each summer and winter to volunteer at a camp for children who are blind and visually impaired. All of these experiences reflect my passion for translating complex scientific ideas and disability advocacy.
Some of my favorite things are chocolate chip cookies, thrifting, and spending time with friends! I’m happy to connect with any prospective students who have questions or want to learn more about my experience as a UNCG student- please feel free to reach out!