Chair's Spotlight: Shan Lu, PhD

Dr. Shan Lu is a translational researcher at UMass Medical School, specializing in novel vaccinations for HIV, influenza and other infectious diseases.  He is best known, as one of the pioneers for the discovery of DNA vaccine technology and for his application of the DNA prime/protein strategy into human vaccine development. 

Dr. Lu’s, DNA prime/protein boost strategy originated with his quest to fight against HIV.  His research focused on a formulation of polyvalent (like a cocktail) to achieve a broad coverage against global diverse HIV viruses. This prime/protein boost is responsible for the induction of broad and potent antibody responses.  Using this approach, Dr. Lu has been working on an influenza vaccine for the universal flu vaccine objective and at the same time, he is moving forward with private biotech, NIAID, HVTN and other partners for two HIV vaccine clinical studies that launched since 2018.  

In collaboration with a vaccine partner in China and with decades of research, Dr. Lu is currently in the development of a new cutting edge, COVID-19 technology platform. A study report is in print and the actual vaccine is going through the GMP manufacturing process.  

Dr. Lu explains, “The leading COVID-19 vaccines are dominated by three types:  mRNA, adenoviral vectors and inactivated vaccines. These vaccines are getting FDA emergency use authorization, which assists the general public in the fight against the disease. We feel the 2nd generation of vaccines will offer a more favorable result which will more likely induce long-lasting immunity and will also be useful with emerging mutations.” 

Dr. Lu started at UMMS as an international student where he received his PhD and completed both his postdoctoral fellow and clinical medicine residency. He is the Editor-in-chief for Emerging Microbes & Infections, a leading journal in emerging infections, past president of the International Society for Vaccines (ISV) and currently an officer and board member of ISV. Additionally, he has been the leading co-chair for multiple ISV Virtual congresses for COVID-19 vaccines (www.isvcongress.org). 

Dr. Lu, states “We are living in the best time for scientific discovery in medical science.  Being trained in clinical medicine and basic immunology and virology, I feel fortunate to be able to contribute to such work. I look forward to UMMS training and attracting more translational scientists to join us."