Renyu Liu

Renyu Liu, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He is Co-Chair of the World Stroke Organization Taskforce for Prehospital Care (WSOTPC), leading global initiatives to reduce prehospital delays in stroke care. His work spans China and Africa, focusing on culturally adapted stroke education programs such as Stroke 120 and Stroke 112.

Dr. Liu's research centers on stroke systems improvement, global health equity, and public education. He pioneered the Stroke 120 campaign in China, a localized version of FAST, which has been adopted nationally and influenced policy. His team developed Stroke 112 for non-English speaking regions, addressing language and emergency response barriers. His work integrates medical science, public health, and multimedia, including the award-winning film Wake Up Stroke 120.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in global stroke awareness, prehospital care optimization, and community-based interventions. These studies evaluate the impact of educational campaigns in China and explore solutions for stroke care gaps in Africa. The research emphasizes implementation science, health behavior change, and cross-cultural adaptation of emergency protocols.

Dr. Liu has received notable scientific recognition, including:

• Best Short Narrative Film, New York City International Film Festival
• Humanitarian Award, New York City International Film Festival
• Selection for the World Health Organization Film Festival

He leads a multidisciplinary global team and collaborates with institutions like Fudan University and King’s College London. He has secured funding from Penn Global and the Chinese Stroke Association. Dr. Liu is actively mentoring and recruiting researchers and clinicians to join his mission of improving stroke outcomes worldwide. He also leads the Stroke 120 Special Task Force and has established interactive stroke education centers, such as the first Stroke 120 exhibition hall in Nantong.