Theresa Lu

Theresa Lu is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she also serves as Co-Director of the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program. She holds the prestigious St. Giles Chair for Research in the HSS Research Institute and is a faculty member in Pediatric Rheumatology at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Her academic appointments span multiple departments and institutions, reflecting her interdisciplinary research approach at the intersection of immunology, rheumatology, and dermatology.

Dr. Lu received her BS, MD, and PhD from Yale University, completing her PhD training with Joseph Madri. She completed her Pediatrics residency at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and her Pediatric Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by postdoctoral training with Jason Cyster at UCSF.

Her research focuses on understanding the mechanistic basis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly the relationship between skin disease and systemic autoimmunity. Dr. Lu investigates the 'immune circuit' - how affected tissues send signals to lymphoid tissues like lymph nodes, which then activate T and B cells that migrate back to the affected tissue. Her work has revealed important mechanisms, including how Langerhans cells protect the skin from UV damage via ADAM17, and how lymphatic dysfunction contributes to lupus photosensitivity and disease flares.

Analysis of Dr. Lu's recent publications shows a consistent focus on the interplay between lymphatic function, skin immunity, and autoimmune disease. Her research spans from basic mechanisms of immune cell-tissue interactions to potential therapeutic applications, with particular emphasis on lupus photosensitivity, lymph node stromal cells, and lymphatic dysfunction in autoimmune conditions.

• Weill Cornell Graduate School Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring (2010)
• Induction into the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2011)
• Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award, American College of Rheumatology (2011)
• Induction into the Henry Kunkel Society for immune-disease research (2015)
• St. Giles Chair for Research (2020)
• Inaugural speaker, Lucille and Joseph Madri Lecture, Yale University (2023)

Dr. Lu has secured significant extramural funding including NIH R01 AI079178, DOD W81XWH-22-1-0627, NIH 1R21AR081493, and support from the St. Giles Foundation, A Lasting Mark Foundation, and Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Diseases. She actively mentors students and researchers through her role as Co-Director of the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program and as a dedicated educator who has received multiple teaching awards.

The Lu Lab operates at the HSS Research Institute, where it investigates the immune circuit in autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions. The lab focuses on several key areas: lymph node vascular-stromal microenvironment controlling T and B cells, Langerhans cell protection of skin in lupus photosensitivity, lymphatic dysfunction in disease, and the role of immune cells in tissue repair and regeneration in fibrosis. The lab's work has significant implications for understanding fundamental disease mechanisms and developing better treatments for rheumatic and orthopedic conditions.