Careers in Biology
Human Biology
Anthropologist
An anthropologist is a scientist who studies various aspects of humankind. The four main areas of study within anthropology are cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology. Archaeologists study how humans lived in the past by looking for and...
Biological Illustrator
If any career melds science and art, it is biological illustration. Despite advances in photography, we still rely on vivid illustrations to help us learn about nature in a visual way. A biological illustrator produces detailed illustrations of everything...
Biomedical Engineer
Careers and companies associated with biotechnology have grown significantly in number over that last two decades. In addition to a degree in life science, jobs require education and experience with mathematics, computers and software, as well as lab-related technologies....
Cancer Geneticist
A cancer geneticist approaches the fight against cancer on a genetic level. One mission of cancer geneticists is to identify the role that specific genes play in cancer and determine if these genes can be controlled with drugs or...
Emergency Medical Technician
EMTs are typically the first people with medical training to respond to an emergency such as car accident, heart attack, unanticipated childbirth, serious sports injury, or a drowning. EMTs are skilled in assessing someone’s medical condition, treating life-threatening symptoms,...
Environmental Health Professional
An environmental health professional works to protect humans from harmful environmental conditions and preserve conditions that are good for human health. They do this by inspecting the environment to make sure that certain criteria and standards are met. This...
Epidemiologist
Epidemiology is the study of diseases and other health problems in human populations, particularly contagious diseases. Epidemiologists attempt to figure out when and where a disease first enters a human population, how it spreads, and how to prevent further...
Exercise Physiologist
An exercise physiologist teaches people how to safely use exercise to recover from, prevent, or cope with injury or illness. Some exercise physiologists work with athletes to help them bounce back from injury or improve performance. Others specialize in...
Forensic Scientist
A forensic scientist is any scientist that analyzes evidence for a criminal investigation and may give expert testimony during court proceedings. One example of a forensic scientist is a geneticist who testifies on the probability of a DNA sample...
Genetic Counselor
When someone learns that they have a genetic disease or are at risk of developing one, a genetic counselor gives them information about the disease as well as guidance on treatment options. It is a job that requires a...
Geneticist
A geneticist studies how DNA and heredity affect the lives of humans and other organisms. The field of genetics is growing rapidly and spreading into diverse areas including medicine, agriculture, pharmacology, criminal justice, anthropology, epidemiology, law, politics, and more....
Immunologist
An immunologist studies the immune system and its responses to viruses and other pathogens and allergens. Many immunologists work on developing vaccines for diseases such as HIV. Vaccines for polio, diptheria, tetanus, and other diseases have already saved millions...
Medical Device Sales Representative
A sales representative is typically employed by a manufacturer or wholesale dealer. To be effective in addressing clients questions and concerns, a person who sells medical equipment may require formal training in a given technology, in addition to training...
Medical Transcriptionist
Instead of spending hours at a computer, many doctors use digital voice recorders to quickly record notes, reports, memos, and other information. A medical transcriptionist then takes the recording, listens to it, and transcribes the doctor’s notes into a...
Neuroscientist
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system of humans or other animals. Neuroscientists study the physical and chemical processes of the brain and their relationships to the behavior and health of organisms. Many neuroscientists are physicians who study...
Nutritionist
A nutritionist helps clients to develop healthy eating habits aimed at preventing or controlling health problems. For example, a nutritionist working for a school system might design a cafeteria menu to address concerns about the increasing rate of obesity...
Pharmacist
A pharmacist dispenses medications prescribed to patients by a physician. To be a pharmacist, you must have at least two years of college, preferably in the natural sciences. This is followed by four years at an accredited college of...
Phlebotomist
If you have ever donated blood or needed blood testing, it was probably a phlebotomist who took the blood sample. Phlebotomists are medical technicians whose primary task is to prepare patients for the sometimes nerve-wracking experience of blood testing...
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist helps patients regain or maintain physical functions that have been damaged or threatened by disease or injury. A physical therapist (PT) in a military hospital often treats patients who have suffered severe combat injuries such as...
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant does a lot of the same work that a physician does, such as taking a patient’s medical history information, asking about symptoms, checking for signs of illness, treating minor wounds, and writing prescriptions. However, the lack...
Radiologist
A radiologist is a physician who uses imaging technologies such as X-rays, ultrasound, and electromagnetic radiation to help medical and dental physicians “see” medical conditions that are otherwise difficult to diagnose in patients. Some radiologists also use radiologic technologies...
Research Engineer
An engineer who works with drugs, medical devices, and genetically-modified (GM) foods for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests these products and reviews data to make sure they are safe and effective. For example, a food engineer might...
Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist treats patients who are suffering from asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and other illnesses affecting the respiratory system. Treatment often involves the use of machines such as ventilators, so respiratory therapists (RTs) are highly-trained in handling hi-tech...
Science Editor
Science editors assign, review, and edit science writing. They work in the news media, book publishing, television production, healthcare, documentary filmmaking, and many other fields. A science editor must have a strong background in science as well as a...
Science Writer
The job of a science writer is to put science in a language that a general audience can understand and enjoy. Science writers’ works appear in general interest magazines, newspapers, textbooks, websites, radio programs, television shows, and much more....
Speech-Language Pathologist
A speech-language pathologist treats people who have difficulty speaking clearly or using their voices. This can involve treating people whose speech difficulties result from a wide variety of medical issues, from Down’s Syndrome to stuttering to serious brain injury....
Sports Trainer
A sports trainer works with athletes to prevent and treat injuries. They are often the first to respond to an injury, meaning they must assess the damage and determine if the athlete can continue to compete. They are especially...
Surgical Technician
A surgical technician, or technologist, assists a surgical team by preparing a sterile operating room and assisting with preparing the patient for surgery. The surgical technologist also checks vital signs and other diagnostics during a surgical procedure, and passes...
Ultrasound Technician
An ultrasound technician, also known as a diagnostic sonographer, uses ultrasound technology to create images or video of the soft tissues inside a patient, allowing a physician to diagnose medical conditions. Sonographers can specialize in certain areas or systems...
X-Ray Technician
An X-ray technician, also known as a radiologic technologist, uses X-rays and other types of radiation to take pictures of a patient’s internal anatomy, usually under the guidance of a radiologist. They may also use other diagnostic technologies, such...