Get to know Dr. Monica Liu

Monica Liu, MD, PhD, MS

Assistant Professor
Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

What is your primary professional focus as it relates to our mission areas (clinical, research and/or medical education)?
I spend most of my time researching lung injury and lung transplant rejection. I also enjoy taking care of patients and working with trainees and advanced practice providers (APPs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and pulmonary fellows' clinics.

What drew you to UW–Madison and the Department of Medicine? 
People are very nice, which counts for a lot, and University of Wisconsin (UW) and DOM have been extremely supportive. This is a great place to learn and grow. The unified campus is another strength—having the hospital next door to labs and colleges means that lung samples from patients can be studied by undergraduates who are juggling coursework the same day.

What are you most excited about during your first year with the department in this role?
This is my third year at UW and my first as tenure-track faculty. I'm excited to see my wonderful research group grow and push into new areas of science. Mentoring is very important to me, and I want to connect with aspiring physician-scientists. I also hope to get to know more people at UW, including in other departments!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?  
Birding, golfing, reading, traveling. Traveling has become centered around birding...My husband and I are also redoing our home garden with native plants, and a 2026 goal is to go see an international women's rugby sevens tournament.

Favorite piece of advice from a mentor or inspiring figure in your life?
I've been fortunate to have several outstanding mentors and role models who continue to make an impact on me. But this I heard in college and find oddly memorable: Try to enjoy what you're doing 80% of the time, or something should change.