Melissa Petruzzello
Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity, notably Protestant history and churches. She joined Britannica in 2009 and oversees a team of editors covering visual arts, film and television, sports, and technology.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Ecological Society of America
• Entomological Society of America
• National Association of Science Writers
• Florida Native Plant Society
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
• Board of Directors: St. Kateri Conservation Center (2022–2025)
EDUCATION
M.S. Plant Biology and Conservation | Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Her thesis examined plant-pollinator interactions in a Penstemon population in Zion National Park, UT.
B.S. Biological Science; minor Biblical Studies | Biola University, La Mirada, CA.
IN MELISSSA’S OWN WORDS
At Britannica I am responsible for many of the overlooked and underappreciated branches of the tree of life. I love showcasing the beauty, diversity, and importance of these groups with visual storytelling. A lifelong learner myself, nothing gives me more joy at work than discovering new and incredible facts about these organisms and their biology, and then getting to convey that knowledge to a curious public. If I can make someone slow down and ponder the beauty of a spider, or marvel at the mindblowing biochemistry of photosynthesis, I’ve done my job well. Science can feel intimidating to many people, and I find it immensely rewarding to try to distill dense or seemingly boring concepts into accessible pieces for a range of audiences.
