Lu Wang

Lu Wang, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where her research focuses on epigenetic dysregulation in cancer development and therapeutic targeting.

Her academic background includes:

• PhD from Nanjing University (2011)
• Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Wisconsin-Madison (2015) studying epigenetics of breast cancer
• Postdoctoral training at Northwestern University (2019) in cancer epigenetics

Dr. Wang's laboratory investigates how misregulated histone and DNA modifiers drive cancer, employing genome-wide CRISPR screening and high-throughput small-molecule inhibitor screening to identify druggable epigenetic targets. This translational approach aims to develop precision cancer treatments by understanding the mechanistic links between epigenetic factors and tumorigenesis.

Her 2024-2025 publications reveal a concentrated research trajectory examining chromatin remodeling complexes (particularly SWI/SNF), pioneer transcription factors, and 3D genome architecture across multiple cancer types including lung, colorectal, and solid tumors, with emphasis on metastasis mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Major recognitions include:

• NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35, 2022)
• American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant (2022)
• Lynn Sage Cancer Research Award (2022)
• DoD Idea Development Award (2023)
• NIH Supplement Award (2023)

As Associate Editor for Science Advances (2020-present) and former editorial board member for Anti-cancer Drugs and Medicine, Dr. Wang contributes to scientific discourse while leading the Wang Lab. Her research program is integrated with Northwestern's Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, facilitating collaborative translational cancer research.