Gregory Mendel is known for his contributions to the field of genetics. Living in the 19th century, he conducted groundbreaking experiments with pea plants, leading to the formulation of fundamental laws of inheritance. His meticulous studies of traits such as color and shape allowed him to understand how traits are passed from one generation to another, laying the foundation for the science of genetics. Despite being largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Mendel’s work was rediscovered later, and today he is often referred to as the "father of genetics" due to his pivotal role in understanding heredity.