The author of Cordyceps: China's Healing Mushroom and of Ginkgo: A Practical Guide, Georges Halpern, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., has written 12 books, 50 book chapters, 118 original research papers and hundreds of scientific reviews and abstracts. Dr. Halpern serves the Pharmanex Scientfic Advisory Board in the U.S. and Hong Kong. He is a Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Nutrition, University of California, Davis, and Visiting Professor in the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, University of Hong Kong. He has worked and/or lectured in 71 countries and is recognized worldwide for his many contributions to the field of medicine. Born a French citizen in Warsaw, Poland, he grew up in Paris, where he attended the Sorbonne, then received his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine of Paris. He received his Ph.D./D.Sc. degree, with highest honors and jury honors, from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris-South. Dr. Halpern is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (London) and of 26 other prestigious national, foreign and international academies and scientific societies. Dr. Halpern is also widely recognized for his gourmet cooking, for which he has won various awards.