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Z. DAVID LUO, M.D., Ph.D.
Researcher

Studying pain is a major endeavor at UC Irvine Medical Center, where researchers are working to ensure that patients are as comfortable as possible before, during and after medical and surgical procedures.

Z. David Luo, M.D., Ph.D., anesthesiologist at UC Irvine Medical Center, has focused his research on the molecular mechanisms of chronic pain.

He and his team are studying how chronic pain-inducing conditions, such as peripheral nerve injury, bone cancer and spinal cord injury cause alterations in gene expression that lead to changes in a patient’s perception of pain. Additionally, Dr. Luo’s team is developing and validating novel interventions for chronic pain management.  His research is an integral part of the Pain Management Center at UC Irvine Medical Center.

Highly regarded in his field, Dr. Luo is widely published in peer-reviewed journals. His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund of California, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.