The author was born in Hyderabad, India, into a lower-middle-class family. He got his high school education from a Catholic Missionary school, the best in town, and went on to get a bachelor's and master's degree in entomology. He then got into the University of California at Riverside and earned a PhD in entomology under the supervision and guidance of Prof. Paul H. DeBauch, a world authority in biological control.

Growing up in India with proper social/ethical values instilled by his elders and his school gave him the background to lead a decent life in different parts of the...