Biography: Dr. Qian Lu is a Professor in the Department of Health Disparities Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is deeply committed to advancing health equity and eliminating disparities across the cancer prevention and control continuum through rigorous intervention research, education, training, and collaborations with underserved communities.
Dr. Lu's work centers on creating brief, scalable, and resource-efficient behavioral interventions, such as expressive writing and narrative videos, as well as multilevel strategies addressing social determinants of health, including peer support and access. Her research primarily serves understudied and underserved populations, including ethnic minorities, young adults, rural populations, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and the uninsured.
A leading expert in cancer disparities and survivorship research, Dr. Lu has pioneered innovative psychosocial interventions to help cancer patients and survivors navigate their journeys and improve their quality of life. She conducted the first behavioral trial to enhance the quality of life for Asian American cancer survivors and evaluated the first peer mentor program for ethnic minority survivors. Additionally, she spearheaded a multilevel intervention aimed at increasing HPV vaccination uptake among young adults.
Dr. Lu has received continuous extramural funding since 2007 from various sources. Her work has garnered multiple ongoing grants from the United States National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, supporting her research to improve quality of life and promote cancer preventive behaviors in underserved communities.