Bruce Pavlik received his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of California at Davis, working on the physiological ecology of grasses with Professor Michael Barbour. His research has focused on the ecology and physiology of plants native to western North America, including the conservation of endangered species. He was professor of Biology at Mills College for 25 years. Between 2010 and 2015, he assumed the position of Head of Restoration Ecology at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London) and is currently Director of Conservation at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum (University of Utah).