Yvonne Lu

Dr. Yvonne Lu is Professor and Doris J. Froebe Endowed Chair at Indiana University School of Nursing, Department of Science of Nursing Care. An active NIH-funded researcher, she directs dissertations and leads interdisciplinary teams focused on aging and caregiving interventions.

Her educational background includes:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Behavioral Gerontology, Indiana University
• PhD in Gerontology, Case Western Reserve University
• MSN in Adult Health, Wright State University
• BSN, Bethel College

Dr. Lu's research centers on strength-based interventions for older adults with cognitive impairment and caregivers. She develops programs like DEMA (Daily Engagement in Meaningful Activities) to improve functional performance and quality of life, with special emphasis on health equity for African American communities through the CARE project. Her mixed-methods approach combines qualitative exploration of lived experiences with rigorous RCTs.

Recent publications reveal expanding scope from cognitive impairment (2017-2019) to broader chronic conditions and health disparities (2020-2022), with strong focus on intervention fidelity and community engagement. Key journals include The Gerontologist, Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, and Western Journal of Nursing Research.

Her major honors include:

• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)
• Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (FGSA)

Dr. Lu currently manages $5M+ in active NIH funding across four major grants. Her PRIMA R01 tests activity reengagement for mild cognitive impairment, while the CARE R24 builds infrastructure for minority participation in dementia research. She partners with Kindred at Home for pragmatic DEMA-Pro trials and mentors junior faculty through Indiana University's robust nursing research ecosystem.

Her team operates at the intersection of clinical practice and research innovation, with current projects engaging community organizations to translate evidence into home health settings across 40 states.