T.J. Manrique was born in Venezuela. He is a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from UCLA and a M.Sc. in Pharmacology from University of the Pacific. He worked for over 25 years in the field of Sales and Marketing of Medical and Clinical Laboratory Supplies in Venezuela and north Latin America. He started his own business a PPE manufacturing plant, which was successful for many years, but he was forced to sell to the government. After this, he started a new enterprise, this time a wound care products manufacturing facility, but was again forced to sell. Fearing for his life and that of his family, he emigrated to the US. He currently lives in Florida with his wife and youngest daughter where he is indulging in his passion for reading and writing.