Raphael D'Alonzo Ph.D.

Raphael "Ray" D’Alonzo, Ph.D., is an Associate Director of Research and Development at Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals where he has worked for over 30 years and led research programs in bone metabolism, infectious disease, respiratory disease, arthritis, and nutrition. He has published scientific papers on a wide variety of topics from the chemical composition of fats and oils to the pharmacoeconomics of osteoporosis. Dr. D’Alonzo is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in part, for his contributions to the development of new pharmaceutical agents. Since decompression surgery, he has made a personal effort to increase the awareness of Chiari in the health care sector and to assist others afflicted with the syndrome. He founded the Cincinnati Chiari Support Group (http://www.webspawner.com/users/chiari/index.html) in 2000 and serves on the research committee of Conquer Chiari. He has three children and two grandchildren and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Marilyn. The book below deals with my personal struggle with and triumph over Chiari malformation of the brain type 1. Some technical and medical information on the condition is contained in the book's appendices.