Marcello Malpighi was an Italian physician and biologist born in 1628. He is often referred to as the father of histology, the study of tissues, due to his pioneering work in microscopy. Malpighi was the first to describe various structures in the human body, including capillaries, which connect arteries and veins. His research laid the groundwork for modern anatomy and physiology. Malpighi's observations were crucial in understanding how organs function and how blood circulates. He published several influential works, contributing significantly to the fields of medicine and biology during the Scientific Revolution.