91ÉçÇø

Mental health has become a high-demand and widely discussed topic around the world, with more people experiencing a mental health condition annually and recognizing its importance to overall well-being. Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Phillip Hughes is researching how we can advance mental health policy while also improving the quality of care.

Hughes joined 91ÉçÇø’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in January 2026. Hughes’ primary research interests center around mental health and substance use treatment services, with a focus on using methods from pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics to improve access to high-quality treatment services.

We spoke with Hughes about his work and why he chose 91ÉçÇø as his new home.

When did you discover your passion for this type of research?

While I was working on my master’s in clinical psychology, I realized that intelligence assessments and psychological testing weren’t what I saw myself doing long term. But when I took research methods and statistics, something really clicked for me. There was something powerful about the idea that you could use data and math to learn something new about the world. That experience pushed me toward pursuing research as a career.

Then I went on to pursue my PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, focusing on pharmaceutical outcomes and policy. Even though I was in a school of pharmacy, my work centered largely on mental health and substance use treatment policy. I wasn’t studying the drugs themselves so much as the people who prescribe them and the systems around that care. My research really examines workforce issues and the scope of practice to understand how we can make mental health treatment more accessible and effective.

Why did you choose SOPPS as your new home?

What really drew me to SOPPS was the collaborative nature of the school. They’re able to maintain such a high level of productivity while still being a genuinely happy, functional department. There’s a real sense of collegiality here, and everyone has been incredibly welcoming. From day one, I’ve already had several people eager to collaborate, so it’s felt like an excellent fit.

What is the primary focus of your research?

A big part of my work is asking how we can make the mental health and substance use treatment system better. How do we get people the treatment they need quickly and without unnecessary barriers? I’m interested in understanding which providers are delivering care and what outcomes look like across different settings. Ultimately, it’s about improving population mental health in a meaningful way.

What do you enjoy about your research?

One of the things I enjoy most about my research is that it’s very applied. It doesn’t just get published and sit on a shelf — it can actually inform clinical decision-making. I get to talk with clinicians about the care they’re providing and with families about the care they’re receiving. That tangible impact, knowing the work can influence real-world decisions, is incredibly motivating.

How do policymakers play a role in your work?

Working with policymakers is an incredibly important part of what I do. In some cases, states are considering major scope-of-practice changes without much outcomes research available. I’ve worked to help fill that evidence gap so that when lawmakers are debating these bills, they have real data to guide them. Being able to provide testimony and speak to questions about safety and access to care makes the research directly relevant to policy decisions.

What are your hopes when it comes to mental health?

Long term, I’d like to see a mental health and substance-use treatment system that is both equitable and functional, because right now I think it’s neither. Access to care shouldn’t depend on whether you live in New York City or rural Montana. Whether it’s through telehealth or workforce redistribution, everyone should have the same opportunity to receive quality treatment. That’s the kind of system I hope my research can help move us toward.