Charles Lu, Ph.D.
Approved biography, photos, and quick facts. For interviews and bookings, please use the contact form at charlesluphd.com.
Short bio (~50 words)
Charles Lu, Ph.D., is the founding executive director of Friends of the Children - San Diego and founder of the Ivory Bridges Foundation. A first-generation college graduate, he has led at UT Austin, UC San Diego, Johns Hopkins, and the National Institutes of Health.
Full bio (~130 words)
Dr. Charles Lu is a first-generation college graduate and executive leader whose career spans education, health, philanthropy, and the public sector. He currently serves as founding executive director of Friends of the Children - San Diego, building a new chapter of a national mentoring model for kids facing the greatest obstacles. He has held senior and executive roles at The University of Texas at Austin, UC San Diego, Johns Hopkins University, and the National Institutes of Health, where he served as Branch Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement and received the NIH Director’s Award. He is also the founder and board president of the Ivory Bridges Foundation, which supports first-generation college students nationwide. A Fulbright alum and former middle school science teacher, he holds a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.
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Studio portrait (vertical)
Editorial portraitQuick facts
- Name: Charles Lu, Ph.D. (Chinese name: ๅๅไป)
- Founding Executive Director, Friends of the Children - San Diego
- Founder & Board President, Ivory Bridges Foundation
- Formerly: Branch Chief, Strategic Initiatives & Engagement, National Institutes of Health
- Honors include the NIH Director’s Award and Toyota International Teacher of the Year
- Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin · Fulbright Fellow, Taiwan