Dr Kate Hughes

Mammary Gland Biology, Mastitis and Tumourigenesis, Veterinary Anatomic Pathology

I study the mammary gland in health, and during mastitis and tumourigenesis. My particular field of interest encompasses the interactions between different cell types within the mammary gland during the postnatal mammary developmental cycle and how these interactions may contribute to disease susceptibility, or protect against disease.

I am a Specialist in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology, and in parallel with my research, I spend a proportion of my time working as part of the diagnostic veterinary anatomic pathology team, providing diagnostic pathology support to the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital and receiving cases from external practices. In this context I work with, and supervise, the residents in veterinary anatomic pathology. I have a particular interest in neoplasia arising in veterinary species, and in mastitis in ruminants. I also work with other research groups, providing specialist histopathology support and therefore contributing to diverse projects allied to my interests in the fields of oncology and immunity.

Biography

Kate undertook her veterinary training at the University of Liverpool. During her veterinary degree she intercalated in Anatomy and Human Biology and was awarded a first class BSc (Hons). She was a fellow of the Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students in 2001. She graduated as a veterinary surgeon with a BVSc awarded with distinction. Following graduation, Kate worked as a clinical veterinarian prior to undertaking a Senior Clinical Training Scholarship (residency) in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology at the University of Cambridge. After her postgraduate Veterinary Anatomic Pathology training, she secured a Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship to study for a PhD in the laboratory of Christine Watson in the Department of Pathology, Cambridge. Following her PhD, she remained in the Watson Laboratory to pursue post-doctoral studies. She has now returned to the Veterinary School and holds a University Lectureship in Veterinary Pathology and an Official Fellowship at Girton College. Kate is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

Prizes, honours and awards:

2012 Royal College of Pathologists Gold Medal for Trainees in Research.

2015 Zoetis Clinical Research Award.