Associate Professor Lu Liu

A/Prof Liu’s research aims to uncover the causes of and develop therapeutics for gastrointestinal and urinary bladder diseases. A/Prof Liu has more than 20 years of research experience in inflammatory bowel disease, slow transit constipation, diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome. In recent years, her research interests have expanded to include bladder urothelium function, overactive bladder and urinary tract infection.

Dr Liu completed her PhD in Pharmacology at Monash University in 1998 and received the prestigious Mollie Holman Medal for Thesis Excellence. From 1998-2005, Liu worked as a post-doctoral research associate and a senior NHMRC research officer in the gastrointestinal and bladder research field at UNSW. During this period, she received 1 young investigator award at an international meeting on gastrointestinal motility and 1 ASCEPT Denis Wade Johnson & Johnson New Investigators Award. In 2006, Dr Liu took up an academic position and became a Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology, UNSW and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2009 and Associate Professor in 2015. 

As a Chief or Sole Investigator, A/Professor Liu has been successful in attracting external research funding, including 4 NHMRC project grants, and support from clinical collaborators and philanthropy with a total of ~$3 million. A/Prof Liu's extensive experience in the study of physiological functions and diseases of the gastrointestinal and urinary bladder systems has attracted national and international collaborations, and published many co-authored papers. Her international research profile is highlighted by invitations to give keynote and symposium speeches at national and international conferences.