Born in Mexico City, JL attended university at UNAM, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities on the continent. JL relocated to the U.S. as a young man and experienced the unique challenges and opportunities of a Mexican immigrant. He observed similar experiences by other immigrants as well as witnessed the life and perspective of countless U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. With hard work and dedication, he became a highly respected dentist, researcher, and educator. Author of the textbook "Supra-gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry" published by Wiley-Blackwell, he has also published many research papers and clinical articles on adhesive and esthetic dentistry. Ruiz regularly lectures at all major dental meetings, nationally and internationally. JL enjoys a clientele of many stars and entertainers and has made numerous television appearances for his dental expertise, including NBC Channel 4 News, ABC's News, Good Morning America & Vista La, VH1 and Channel 52's Telemundo and 34 Univision. A lover of history, psychology, and culture, his socially charged novels offer a fresh understanding of how historical events shape the present and the future. A big fan of music and the arts, JL is a past member of two rock bands.