CV
Dr. Nicole M. Hughes
Education
B.S. Biology and Education; minor in Music
Stetson University: DeLand, FL (1997-2001)
-Magna cum Laude
M.S. Biology
Appalachian State University: Boone, NC (2002-2004)
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Howard S. Neufeld
Ph.D. Biology
Wake Forest University: Winston-Salem, NC (2005-2009)
Graduate Advisor: Dr. William K. Smith
Post-doctoral Research
Victoria University: Wellington, New Zealand (2009)
Advisor: Dr. Kevin S. Gould
Post-doctoral Research
Wake Forest University: Winston-Salem, NC (current)
Publications
Hughes NM, Neufeld HS, Burkey KO. 2005. Functional role of anthocyanins in high-light winter leaves of the evergreen herb, Galax urceolata. New Phytologist 168: 575-587.
Hughes NM, Smith WK. 2007. Attenuation of incident light in Galax urceolata (Diapensiaceae): concerted influence of adaxial and abaxial anthocyanic layers on photoprotection. American Journal of Botany 94: 784-790.
Hughes NM, Morley CB, and Smith WK. 2007. The coordination of anthocyanin decline and photosynthetic maturation in developing leaves of three deciduous tree species. New Phytologist 175: 675-685.
Hughes NM, Smith WK. 2007. Seasonal photosynthesis and anthocyanin production in ten broadleaf evergreen species. Functional Plant Biology 34: 1072-1079.
Hughes NM, Vogelmann TC, Smith WK. 2008. Optical effects of abaxial anthocyanin on absorption of red wavelengths by understory species: re-visiting the back-scatter hypothesis. Journal of Experimental Botany 59(12): 3435-3442.
Hughes NM, Johnson DM, Akhalkatsi M, and Abdaladze O. 2009. Characterizing Betula litwinowii seedling microsites at the alpine-treeline ecotone, Central Greater Caucasus Mountains, Georgia. Arctic, Alpine, and Antarctic Research 41: 112-118.
Archetti M, Doring TF, Hagen SB, Hughes NM, Leather SR, Lee DW, Lev-Yadun S, Manetas Y, Ougham HJ, Schaberg PG, Thomas H. 2009. Adaptive explanations for autumn colours- An interdisciplinary approach. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 24: 166-173.
Smith WK, Hughes NM. 2009. Progress in coupling plant form and photosynthetic function. Castanea 74: 1-26.
Archetti M, Doring TF, Hagen SB, Hughes NM, Leather SR, Lee DW, Lev-Yadun S, Manetas Y, Ougham HJ, Schaberg PG, Thomas H. 2009. Ultraviolet reflectance in autumn leaves and the un-naming of colours. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 24: 237-238.
Hughes NM, Gould KS, and Smith WK. 2010. Red (anthocyanic) leaf margins do not correspond with increased phenolic content in New Zealand Veronica species. Annals of Botany 105: 647-654.
Hughes NM, Reinhardt K, Gierardi A, Feild TS, and Smith WK. 2010. Association between winter anthocyanin production and drought stress in angiosperm evergreen species. Journal of Experimental Botany 61(6):1699-1709.
Hughes NM, Burkey KO, Cavender-Bares J, and Smith WK. Seasonal xanthophyll cycle and antioxidant properties of red (anthocyanic) and green (acyanic) angiosperm evergreen species. Physiologia Plantarum (in review).
Manuscripts in Preparation
Hughes NM, Vogelmann TC, Smith WK. Attenuation of green light by abaxial anthocyanin reduces photoinhibition under high-light in understorey species.
Departmental Seminars
“Leaf Reddening: What’s known and what’s left to do”. High Point University, North Carolina (2010)
“Adaptations of Angiosperms.” Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia (2010)
“Ecological and physiological functions of red pigment patterns in leaves”. University of South Carolina, Upstate (2009)
“Ecological and physiological functions of red pigment patterns in leaves”. Le Moyne College, New York (2009)
“Functional explanations for red pigment patterns in leaves.” University of North Carolina, Asheville (2009)
“The functional significance of anthocyanin pigments in photosynthetic adaptation”. University of Vermont (2009)
“The functional significance of red leaf colouration in two contrasting plant systems”. Victoria University, New Zealand (2009)
“Winter color change: Functional role of anthocyanins in evergreen species”. Oxford University, England (2008)
“Why leaves turn red: Functional role of anthocyanin pigments in photosynthetic adaptation”. Wake Forest University (2008)
“Functional role of anthocyanin in winter leaves of the evergreen herb, Galax urceolata”. Appalachian State University (2004)
“Prevelance and frequency of temporomandibular joint disorders in musicians: psychological and mechanical stress implications”. Stetson University (2001)
Paper Presentations
Hughes NM, Smith WK. “Winter color change: why do some evergreen species synthesize anthocyanin in winter leaves, while others don’t?” Ecological Society of America, oral presentation (Milwaukee, WI 2008)
Hughes NM, Smith WK. “Winter color change: the adaptive role of anthocyanin pigments in broad-leaf evergreen species”. Botanical Society of America, oral presentation (Vancouver, BC 2008)
Hughes NM, Morley CB, Smith WK. “Red coloration in developing leaves: Coordination of anthocyanin decline and photosynthetic maturation”. Botanical Society of America, poster presentation (Vancouver, BC 2008)
Hughes NM, Smith WK, and Vogelmann TC. “The adaptive significance of red abaxial coloration in understory plants”. Association of Southeastern Biologists, oral presentation (Spartanburg, SC 2008)
Hughes NM, Smith WK, Reinhardt KS, and Burkey KO. “Winter color change in ‘evergreen’ leaves: The adaptive significance of anthocyanin pigments”. Association of Southeastern Biologists, poster presentation (Spartanburg, SC 2008)
Hughes NM, Smith WK, Vogelmann TC. “Abaxial anthocyanin: contrasting adaptive function in high light and low light species”. Ecological Society of America, oral presentation (San Jose, CA 2007)
Hughes NM, Smith WK, Vogelmann TC. “Why undersurfaces of leaves are sometimes red: contrasting the adaptive function of abaxial anthocyanin in high light and low light species “. Botanical Society of America, oral presentation (Chicago, IL 2007)
Hughes NM, Smith WK. “When are red juvenile leaves mature enough to be green? The coordination of anthocyanin decline and photosynthetic maturation”. Association of Southeastern Biologists, oral presentation (Columbia, SC 2007)
Hughes NM, Smith WK. “Contrasting the adaptive function of abaxial anthocyanin in leaves adapted to high-light and low-light environments”. Ecological Society of America, oral presentation (Memphis, TN 2006)
Hughes NM, Smith WK. “The coordination of anthocyanin decline and photosynthetic maturation in developing leaves of three deciduous tree species”. Wake Forest University Graduate Student Research day, poster presentation (2006)
Hughes NM, Neufeld HS. “Ecophysiological and biochemical function of anthocyanins in high-light winter leaves of Galax urceolata”. Association of Southeastern Biologists, oral presentation (Memphis, TN 2004)
Hughes NM. “Functional role of anthocyanin in high-light, winter leaves of the evergreen herb, Galax urceolata”. Sigma Xi, ASU chapter annual meeting invited seminar (2004)
Hughes NM. “Prevelance and frequency of temporomandibular joint disorders in musicians: psychological and mechanical stress implications”. Stetson University Scholarship and Performance Day (2001)
Awards
Tansley Medal Finalist
-New Phytologist (2010)
Gordon A. Melson Award for Outstanding Doctoral Student
-Wake Forest University (2009)
Elton C. Cocke Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Biology
-Wake Forest University (2008)
Physiological Section Award for Best Poster
- 2008 Botanical Society of America meeting
Best Student Paper Presentation In Botany
- 2008 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Best Student Poster In Botany
- 2008 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Euguene P. Odum Award for Best Student Paper Presentation in Ecology (runner-up)
- 2008 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Quarterman-Catherine Keever Award for best Student Poster in Ecology
- 2008 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Billings Award for Best Ecophysiological Paper Presentation (runner-up)
- 2007 Ecological Society of America meeting
Conant Award for Botanical Imaging (third place)
- 2007 Botanical Society of America meeting
Eugene P. Odum Award for Best Student Paper in Ecology
- 2004 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Outstanding Graduate Research in the Sciences
-Appalachian State University Chapter of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (2004)
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
- Appalachian State University (2004)
Biology Department’s Excellence in Research Award
- Stetson University (2001)
Outstanding Senior in the Department of Biology
- Stetson University (2001)
Randolph L. Carter Award- Outstanding Secondary School Intern
- Stetson University (2001)
Runner-up for best oral presentation, Stetson Scholarship & Performance Day
- Stetson University (2001)
Outstanding contribution to music by a non-major, Stetson University School of Music
- Stetson University (2001)
Lecture Teaching Positions
Assistant Professor of Biology (2010-current)
Courses taught: Introduction to Plant Biology
-High Point University
Post-doctoral Researcher (2009-2010)
Courses taught: Ecological Methods and Measurements
-Wake Forest University
8th Grade Science Research Teacher (2004-2005)
-Young Middle Magnet School of Math, Science, and Technology; Tampa, FL
High School Science Teacher (2001-2002)
Courses taught: Biology II; Integrated Science I & II
-Deltona High School; Deltona, FL
7th Grade Science Teacher (2001)
- DeLand Middle School ; DeLand, FL
Laboratory Teaching Assistantships
Wake Forest University
- Plant Systematics (2008)
- Plant Ecophysiology (2006)
- Comparative Physiology (2005-2007)
Appalachian State University
- General Biology I and II (2002-2004)
Caldwell Community College
- General Biology I (2003)
Grants and Funding
Richter Fellowship for International Research
- Wake Forest University (2008)
Student Travel Award
- Association of Southeastern Biologists (2004, 2008)
Elton C. Cocke Travel Award
- Wake Forest University, Biology Department (2006, 2007, 2008)
Vecellio Award
- Wake Forest University (2006, 2007, 2008)
Alumni Travel Award
-Wake Forest University (2006, 2007, 2008)
Teaching Certification
6-12 Biology, State of Florida Teaching License
Journal Reviews
New Phytologist
Journal of Experimental Botany
Environmental and Experimental Botany
Trees- Structure and Function
Art Exhibitions
A Minimalist Evening- Performance Art Concert with Pianist Bruce Moser
-University of North Carolina, Greensboro (2008)
Artists on Liberty Gallery featured artist- Solo Show
-Artists on Liberty Gallery, Winston-Salem, NC (2008)
Wake Forest University Student Art Exhibition
- Charlotte and Philip Hanes Gallery, Wake Forest University (2008)
Science as Art Exhibition
-Wake Forest University Graduate Student Association (2008)
Music
- Tampa Bay Junior Symphony; bassoon (1994-1995)
- Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra; bassoon (1996-1997)
- Seminole Pres. High School; band captain, bassoon, flute, alto clarinet (1994-97)
- Florida All State Band; bassoon (1996-1997)
- Stetson University Symphonic Band; bassoon, contra-bassoon (1997-2001)
- Stetson University Orchestra; bassoon, contra-bassoon (1999-2001)
- InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; guitar and voice (1999-2001)
- Blue Banana Quintet; bassoon (1999-2001)
Professional Affiliations
Association of Southeastern Biologists
Botanical Society of America
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
Ecological Society of America
Beta Beta Beta, biological honors society
Sigma Alpha Iota, music fraternity for women
Hobbies and interests
Piano, bassoon, painting and drawing, bridge, SCUBA diving