Zixian Lu

Zixian Lu, a dedicated scholar, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, peacefully passed away at his home in Script Ranch, San Diego, on February 8th, 2024, at the age of 92. Born on June 2nd, 1931, in Hongzhou, China, Zixian leaves behind a profound legacy of intellectual contributions and familial love.

Survived by his devoted wife, Peifang Yan, and cherished daughters Ran Lu and Tao Osgood, Zixian created a warm and supportive family environment. His enduring influence extends through his daughters, sons-in-law Qihua Weng and Stephen Osgood, and grandchildren Haiyun Weng, Christopher, and Matthew Osgood.

Zixian Lu embarked on his academic journey in the 1950s, graduating from the Department of Chemistry at Peking University. His commitment to the scientific community manifested as a researcher and professor at the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Professor Zixian Lu gained renown as a distinguished physical chemist and chemistry educator, dedicating his life to advancing research and teaching in protein chemistry, biochemistry, chemistry, and biophysics.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Professor Lu played a pivotal role in unraveling the structure of insulin through groundbreaking work on Disulfide Bond Cleavage in Insulin. This discovery revolutionized diabetes treatment, enabling the synthetic production of insulin. Since the 1960s, he authored over 110 papers and the widely used textbook "Protein Chemistry" in major universities and research institutes in China.

Professor Lu's contributions extended beyond his research, as he served as an adjunct professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, an executive director of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the chairman of the Shanghai Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He initiated and organized international peptide conferences and various academic meetings in China, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community.

In the 1990s, he relocated to the USA, where he contributed his expertise to various universities and research institutes. His professional journey led him through diverse academic and research roles, enhancing his impact on the scientific community. Eventually, he concluded his distinguished career by retiring from Neurocrine Bioscience in San Diego, CA.

Beyond his scholarly achievements, Zixian Lu was a devoted family man, friend, and mentor. Known for his kindness, warmth, and unwavering support, he left a lasting impression on those he cared about. His love and wisdom touched the lives of many.

Zixian Lu's memory will forever live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the countless students and colleagues he influenced throughout his impactful career. May he rest in peace, comforted by the knowledge that his contributions to science and education will continue to inspire and shape the future.

沉痛悼念我们敬爱的丈夫，博学的父亲， 慈祥的外公鲁子贤教授。

他老人家的温暖，关怀， 和智慧永远铭刻在我们的心中。他的生活充满了无限的爱和奉献， 给予了我们全家无尽的关怀和支持。他的微笑和慈祥的目光永远是我们最好的回忆。他的言行举止激励我们成为更优秀的人。在我们缅怀他一生的时刻， 我们将永远珍惜他的善良和智慧，感激他对科学的贡献， 感谢他为我们家所做的一切。

愿他老人家在天堂里安息！德范世代永存，寿终贤望长在！