Giovanni Maria Lancisi was an Italian physician and anatomist born in 1654 in Rome. He is best known for his contributions to the study of malaria and the anatomy of the human brain. Lancisi's work laid the foundation for understanding the transmission of diseases and the importance of environmental factors in health. In addition to his medical research, Lancisi served as a professor at the University of Rome and published several influential texts. His most notable work, "De Noxiis Paludum," discussed the dangers of marshy areas and their link to disease, highlighting the need for public health measures in combating epidemics.