Michael C. Lu

Dr. Michael C. Lu is currently the Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously, he served as Director of the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau under the Obama Administration, where he received the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Hubert H. Humphrey Service to America Award in 2013. His academic career includes roles as a professor of obstetrics-gynecology and public health at UCLA, with research focused on racial-ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. As an obstetrician, he attended over 1,000 births and was repeatedly named a Best Doctor in America since 2005. He has contributed to National Academy of Medicine committees and co-authored the report Vibrant and Healthy Kids: Aligning Science, Practice, and Policy to Advance Health Equity. His education includes degrees from Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UCSF.

Research interests emphasize improving maternal and child health equity through life-course perspectives and advancing medical imaging technologies. He has pioneered innovations in MRI motion sensing, wireless implant communication, and computational imaging algorithms. His work bridges clinical practice, public health policy, and biomedical engineering. Awards include teaching recognition and federal service accolades. He collaborates on interdisciplinary teams to address global health challenges, leveraging both clinical expertise and technological advancements.

Publications span maternal health equity frameworks and cutting-edge MRI methodologies, reflecting his dual focus on societal health disparities and medical technology. Current efforts at UC Berkeley aim to integrate public health strategies with emerging imaging and data science tools. Despite no listed advisees, his mentorship is evident through residency program leadership and training grants in maternal and child health.