Dr. Altura is a Professor at Suny Downstate Medical Center in USA. He received his PhD from Newyork University School of Medicine in the year 1964. He serves as an Ad Hoc Reviewer and also reviewer for various journals and funding organizations.

His research interests include the role of magnesium, sphingolipids and lipid messengers in vascular biology and disease processes, such as stroke, diabetes mellitus and atherogenesis. An additional major interest is the role of alcohol and substances of abuse in stroke etiology.