Draft:Iris Lindberg

Iris Lindberg is an American scientist known for her contributions to the field of molecular biology, particularly in peptide biosynthesis and neurodegenerative diseases. With a career spanning over four decades, Lindberg has significantly advanced the understanding of prohormone convertases and their role in peptide processing, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders.

Early life and education
Lindberg received her A.B. in Biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in June 1975. She pursued her graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, earning her Ph.D. in Pharmacology in December 1980.

Research and career
Lindberg's academic journey began as a Staff Fellow at the Laboratory of Preclinical Pharmacology through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Washington D.C. from 1981 to 1984. During this time, she also participated in the NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship and Pharmacology Research Associate Trainee (PRAT) program.

In 1984, Lindberg was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Medical School, where she began her research on prohormone convertases. Her most cited work was during her time working at LSUHSC, which was titled, "The crystal structure of the proprotein processing proteinase furin explains its stringent specificity". In this paper, Lindberg and her team showed the first crystal structure of the catalytic and P domain of furin, demonstrating its potential function and substrate specificity. This research, conducted using X-ray crystallography, provided valuable insights into the development of specific furin inhibitors. Through her time there she rose through the academic ranks, achieving tenure as an associate professor and later as a full professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in New Orleans.

In 2007, Lindberg transitioned to the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she is a professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. Here, she continues her research on neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Throughout her career, Lindberg has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her research contributions. She has been a member of professional societies, including the Society for Neuroscience, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Endocrine Society. Lindberg is also an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in the Biological Sciences.

In addition to her academic and research pursuits, Lindberg is the author of the book Peptide Biosynthesis: Prohormone Convertases 1/3 and 2 (Colloquium Series on Neuropeptides), which serves as a comprehensive resource in the field.