The title "Father of Genetics" is commonly attributed to Gregor Mendel.
Gregor Mendel was born on July 20, 1822, in Heinzendorf, Austria (now Hynčice, Czech Republic).
He studied at the University of Vienna and later became a monk in the Augustinian order, where he took on the name Gregor.
Mendel conducted groundbreaking experiments on pea plants in the mid-19th century, meticulously studying traits such as seed shape, flower color, and plant height over several generations.
From his experiments, Mendel formulated the fundamental laws of inheritance, known as Mendelian inheritance. These include the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment.
In 1866, Mendel published his findings in the journal Verhandlungen des Naturforschenden Vereines in Brünn (Transactions of the Brünn Natural History Society), but his work initially received little attention.
Mendel's work was rediscovered at the turn of the 20th century by scientists such as Hugo de Vries, Carl Correns, and Erich von Tschermak. They independently verified Mendel's laws and recognized their significance in understanding heredity.
Mendel's experiments laid the foundation for modern genetics. His insights into the principles of genetic inheritance provided a framework for understanding how traits are passed down from generation to generation.
Mendel's work revolutionized biology and formed the basis for the field of genetics, influencing fields as diverse as agriculture, medicine, and evolutionary biology.
Posthumously, Mendel has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to science.
His principles continue to be taught and applied in genetics research and education worldwide, cementing his legacy as the Father of Genetics.