Shinji FunayamaProfessor Shinji Funayama obtained his Ph.D. in natural product chemistry at Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) in 1980. After three years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University ofIllinois at Chicago (UIC) under the supervision of Professor Geoffrey A. Cordell, he joined the Kitasato Institute (Tokyo, Japan) as a senior researcher. After seven years, he joined as a Lecturer and was promoted to Assistant Professor at the Pharmaceutical Institute, Tohoku University. After six years in this position, he joined as an Associate Professor at Aomori University (Aomori, Japan). He was promoted to Professor there, and also served as a Guest Professor at Hirosaki University. After eight years, he became a Professor at Nihon Pharmaceutical University (Saitama, Japan) in 2003 and served as a Department Head for 10 years. He is the author of about 150 research publications, book chapters, comprehensive reviews, and professional publications; is the author of 11 books, with five more in progress; and is the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Pharmaceutical Biology (USA). He is a Councilor of the Japanese Society for History of Pharmacy. His interests include the chemistry and biosynthesis of alkaloids, the relationship of poisons and human beings, the Japanese ancient history of Poisons and Medicines, and also the use of vegetables as chemical reagents. Read More Read Less