Dr. Lu has published widely on a range of topics in economics, health economics, health services research, health policy, and medical journals. She led an innovative book project funded by the Institute of Health Economics in Alberta. This commissioned volume reviewed theoretical rationales, empirical evidence, and international experiences to provide lessons about the impacts of various financing and payment models that are particularly of interest to health policymakers in Canada. Dr. Lu's research achievements are demonstrated by the various research awards and grants she has received. In addition to two consecutive AHFMR Population Health Investigator awards, she has successfully received various operating grants for her research from provincial, national, and international funding agencies.

Dr. Lu's research interests span several topics, including health care financing and fund allocation, economic evaluation in health care, health care disparities and vulnerable populations, substance abuse and mental health, patient-centered care, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and integrative medicine.