Staff profile
Ms Di Hughes
Lecturer
Faculty of Health Sciences
La Trobe Rural Health SchoolDepartment of Rural Human Biosciences
Health Science, number 6, Albury-Wodonga
- T: +61 2 6024 0949
- F: +61 2 6024 9737
- E: d.hughes@latrobe.edu.au
Qualifications
BSc (Hons), Grad Dip Ed
Area of study
Anatomy and Physiology
Brief profile
Di is the human bioscience lecturer on the Wodonga campus. Di teaches into the common first year, specifically Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B. She is the regional coordinator for Human Biosciences B. Di’s background is gross human anatomy from both a laboratory and academic perspective. Di enjoys university teaching and has interests in promoting lifelong independent learning skills in her students. Di is undertaking a PhD examining the role of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in combating oxidative stress within the body. Oxidative stress leads to damage of cellular components when cells are exposed to reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that exceed the cellular antioxidant capacity. Di will investigate biochemical indicators of oxidative stress and also erythrocyte shape in healthy subjects, as well as people with rheumatoid arthritis or Parkinson’s disease. Most previous research has focused on antioxidant levels in blood plasma only, and as such does not take into account the erythrocyte’s high antioxidant capacity and its apparent ability to roam the body scavenging free radicals from all types of tissues.
Teaching units
HBS1HBA Human Biosciences A
HBS1HBB Human Biosciences B
Recent publications
Smythe, G.M. & Hughes, D.L. (2008). Self-directed learning in gross human anatomy: Assessment outcomes and student perceptions. Anatomical Sciences Education. Vol. 1(4), pp. 145-153.
