Yi Lu, MD PhD is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr Lu completed neurosurgery residency training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and complex spine fellowship at the University of Miami before returning to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2013. Dr. Lu is currently the Fellowship Program Director for the combined Mass General Brigham Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship. He is also the Director of Neurosurgical Trauma at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal deformity surgery, lateral approach spine surgery, spinal trauma and spinal tumor, etc.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Lu is deeply committed to advancing medical science as a physician scientist. During his neurosurgery residency, he completed post-doctorial training at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lu is fascinated by the science behind many spine diseases. His current research endeavors focus on 1) molecular mechanisms underlying discogenic back pain, 2) axon regeneration and protection following spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries and 3) the molecular mechanisms of spinal cord stimulator for motor restoration. He has authored over 60 peer reviewed publications on axon regeneration, spinal cord injury and spinal surgery.
Dr. Lu is dedicated to spinal education and advocacy for patients and spine surgeons alike. Having served in AANS/CNS Spine Section committees for many years, Dr. Lu currently serves as Chair of the Payor Response Committee and is dedicated to providing rapid payor response services for Spine Section members. Additionally, Dr. Lu holds the Co-chair position for the North American Spine Society Spinal Cord Injury Section.
Dr. Lu resides in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, with his wife, Dr. Katie Luo, an established ophthalmologist and cornea specialist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and their daughter, Sophie.
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