Lydia Usha

Lydia Usha, MD is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy at Rush Medical College, Rush University. She serves as the Director of the Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer (RISC) Center, highlighting her leadership in cancer genetics and hereditary cancer risk assessment. Her clinical and research work is centered at the RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center, with practice locations in Chicago and Oak Park, IL.

Research Interests:
Dr. Usha specializes in cancer genetics, particularly inherited cancer syndromes such as those involving PALB2 and BRCA genes, breast and ovarian cancer, and molecular oncology. Her work bridges clinical oncology with genetic research, focusing on risk assessment, tumor genomics, and treatment complications.

Publication Trends:
Her recent publications (2018–2023) reflect a strong focus on hereditary cancer risk, genetic phenocopies, imaging guidelines for survivors, and adverse effects of targeted therapies. She frequently contributes to high-impact journals and participates in international collaborative studies.

Scientific Contributions:

• Key contributor to international studies on PALB2 gene variants and cancer risk.
• Published on rare complications of breast cancer therapy, including autoimmune hepatitis and folate deficiency.
• Explored innovative topics such as chimerism in cancer families and radiosensitization with anti-HER2 agents.

Clinical and Academic Leadership:
Dr. Usha is actively involved in both patient care and academic research, embodying the mission of an academic medical center. Her role as Director of the RISC Center underscores her commitment to identifying and managing patients with inherited cancer susceptibility. She collaborates widely and publishes in oncology, genetics, and radiology journals, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact.

Laboratory and Team Affiliations:
She is affiliated with the Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer (RISC) Center, where she leads research and clinical programs focused on genetic cancer risk. Her work involves multidisciplinary teams integrating clinical oncology, genetics, and molecular biology.