Shuiyu Lu, PhD

Dr. Shuiyu Lu is a Staff Scientist (since June 2002) in the PET Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Section, Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health. He received his BSc (Organic Chemistry, 1983) from Nanjing University, China and PhD (Synthetic Organic Polymer Chemistry, 1991) from the University of Manchester, England. He spent two-years at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland as a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Lu’s early research focused on the formation and transformation of macromolecules. He became a Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey, England (1994-2002) where he was at the forefront to develop novel methodologies for the preparation and application of isotopically labeled compounds, both stable and radioactive. Notably he was leading the efforts to develop microwave-enhanced dueteriation/tritiation procedures, where microwave dielectric heating that transforms

electromagnetic energy to heat provides direct access by the energy source to the chemical reaction media, for rapid, highly atom-efficient radiolabeling. At NIMH Dr. Lu’s research is centered on the development of rapid, reliable and safe PET radiolabeling methodologies through the application of new reagents and innovative technologies. He is also engaged in targeted radioligand development. His current research interests include (1) radiolabeling with fluorine-18 under microwave conditions; (2) radiolabeling utilizing nucleophilic assisted leaving groups (NALGs) under microwave conditions; (3) the application of micro reactor (microfluidics) technology to PET radiosynthesis and (4) the synthesis and evaluation of agonist 5-HT1A receptor radioligands.