Shan Lu to lead International Society for Vaccines 
Noted UMMS physician-scientist elected organization president
By Lisa M. Larson
UMass Medical School Communications | October 24, 2011 |
Shan Lu, MD, PhD |
Shan Lu, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, has been elected president of the International Society for Vaccines (ISV), a prestigious organization of the world’s leading vaccine scientists.
“This honor recognizes the impact that Dr. Lu’s research has had in advancing vaccine research internationally,” said Terence R. Flotte, MD, the
Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medicine, dean of the School of Medicine, provost and executive deputy chancellor. “This new title shows he is recognized among his peers as a widely respected leader whose focus on novel vaccine development has made significant advances in the field. UMass Medical School has a long and distinguished history of vaccine research, including discoveries that are critical research components of many vaccine programs.”
The ISV encourages, establishes and promotes the development and use of vaccines to prevent and control infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Lu, a physician-scientist, is a pioneer in the field of DNA vaccines and has conducted extensive research on AIDS vaccines, as well as vaccines against emerging infectious disease and biodefense targets. He previously served as treasurer and has been a member of the ISV executive board since 2008. He played an instrumental role in organizing a highly successful ISV Annual Global Vaccine Congress series. It is recognized as the most authoritative vaccine conference to unite scientists from both industry and academia and it covers a wide range of important topics in modern vaccinology. The most recent conference, the fifth ISV Annual Global Congress, was held in Seattle this month. Lu was elected ISV president at this congress.
“I am honored to lead this important organization, which was founded by many pioneers in the vaccine field,” Lu said. “The world is facing more threats from infectious diseases than ever before. Vaccines have been proven the most important medical achievement in the 20th century and have contributed to the improved health situation in the world. ISV, as the organization for vaccine professionals, should be playing a prominent role in promoting safe and effective vaccines based on sound scientific research. I am committed to working with the new leadership group at ISV to expand its operation to include educating the general public about the importance of vaccination to both indicated children and adult populations. ”
Lu, who earned his MD from Nanjing Medical College in 1982, his PhD from UMMS in 1991, and his master’s in health administration from Clark University in 1993, has been a faculty member in the Department of Medicine since 1996. He also provides clinical service at UMass Memorial Medical Center as an internal medicine physician.