Dr Hughes grew up in North Sydney before studying medicine at the University of Newcastle where he graduated with Honours. He completed his medical residency years at Royal North Shore Hospital in 1999-2001 before relocating to London for several years of work and study.  While in the UK, he completed a Masters in Science (Pharmaceutical medicine) at the University of Surrey and worked as an advisor to the Pharmaceutical industry for several years in clinical research and new drug development.

Dr Hughes undertook specialist training in Endocrinology at Concord, RPA and John Hunter Hospitals. He also completed an Endocrine and Vascular medicine fellowship year at St Vincent's Hospital, including formal training in thyroid and vascular ultrasound and certification with the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine. He maintains clinical and research roles at St Vincent's Hospital and the Garvan Institute. 

He continues to work as an advisor in drug development and has ongoing active role in clinical trials of new diabetes therapies. He is among only a few endocrinologists in Sydney who perform thyroid ultrasound and ultrasound guided biopsies.