Massimo Pigliucci received his Doctorate in Genetics at the University of Ferrara, Italy. He is now Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Tennessee. He fields of research are in plant ecological and evolutionary genetics, and the experimental and theoretical approaches to the study of plant responses toward environmental change (nature vs. nurture).

In 1999, Pigliucci received the prestigious Chancellor Award for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement from the University of Tennessee. He is also a three-time recipient of the Oak Ridge National Laboratories Science Alliance Faculty Research Award.