B.Sc., Biology Academy, Bogor, Indonesia, 1962.
M.A., Biology, Harvard University, 1965.
Ph.D, Biology, Harvard University, 1969.

Head of Botany Section, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia, 1969-1974.
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Pharmagonosy and Pharmacology, University of Illinois Medical Center, 1979-1983.
Associate Professor of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois Medical Center, 1983-present.
Professor of Pharmacognosy, 1989-present, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Plant systematics of Saurauia (Actinidiaceae)/

Plant systematics of Saurauia (Actinidiaceae)/field surveys for anti-cancer and anti-AIDS drugs in southeastern Asia/surveys for naturally occurring sweetening agents in plants/ethnobotanical field studies in tropical forests.

Field studies in recent years have been in conjunction with National Cancer Institute sponsored programs searching for anti-cancer and anti-AIDS compounds in plants, particularly in southeastern Asia. Current research includes the intensive sampling of a single forest test-site in order to estimate medicinal potential of rain forests in general. This work includes ethnobotanical work with indigenous people, precise plant-identification and extensive literature review.

Systematic studies have focused on the taxonomy of the New World species of Saurauia, which includes trees that are an important component of evergreen forests, especially in cooler montane forest formations, and on the flora of Palawan (Philippines). The latter study is a contribution in the development of the resources of Palawan by the Government of the Philippines, for the well being of the people of Palawan and the Philippines in general.