Microbiologist

(microbiology) A scientist that studies a wide range of microorganisms in various subdisciplines of biology, such as bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology.

State or local public health departments have the responsibility to protect their citizens from communicable diseases. The responsibility of a microbiologist in clinical laboratories is to identify the microorganisms that cause infectious diseases—through the application of advanced standard microbiological laboratory methods and techniques—and to record and report that information to clinicians, disease investigators, and the state health department. Maintenance and improvements of the quality of laboratory standards are maintained in compliance with the requirements of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA #88), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other regulatory agencies.

(SEE ALSO: Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act; Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

— BASSAM F. HALASA

A microbiologist studies living organisms that are invisible to the naked eye. Microbiologists study bacteria, fungi, and other one-celled organisms (microbes), as well as viruses. A microbiologist may study a single molecule isolated from a bacterium, or a complex ecosystem with many microbial species.

In the course of their work, microbiologists do a variety of tasks. These include inoculating microbes using sterile techniques, viewing microbes under the microscope, purifying DNA or other molecules from microbes, counting microbes, preparing sterile media, and developing experiments to better understand these organisms, often using the techniques of genetic analysis. Many microbiologists supervise other employees, and they frequently work with a group of people to plan experiments or validate laboratory procedures. Some microbiologists teach or are engaged in sales, so their duties may include presenting information. As they gain experience, microbiologists working in a laboratory frequently assume more responsibility to supervise others and to plan a research program.

In most cases, microbiologists have training beyond high school. This training could consist of a two-year associate degree with coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and microbiology. Many micro-biologists have a four-year bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, or chemistry. This degree includes coursework in all the sciences, as well as several courses in microbiology. A master's degree usually requires an additional two years of coursework and research, and prepares individuals for additional supervisory or teaching positions. A doctoral degree (Ph.D.) typically requires an additional four to seven years of schooling, and opens up a wide range of teaching, research, and executive opportunities. In many cases, microbiologists who earn a Ph.D. do a further two to four years of postdoctoral research to gain additional research experience before they assume an independent position.

Some microbiologists work in hospital or clinical laboratories, where they identify disease-causing bacteria. Others work in the food industry, checking to make sure that food products do not contain pathogenic organisms. Environmental microbiologists study the role of bacteria and other organisms in ecological systems. Some microbiologists work in research laboratories, helping to make fundamental discoveries about microbes. Micro-biologists also teach about these organisms in community colleges and universities.

The rewards of a career in microbiology are many, and may vary depending upon the career path taken. Medical microbiologists gain satisfaction from the knowledge that they assist in helping to prevent and treat disease. Food microbiologists are critical for maintaining the safety of our food supply. Research microbiologists are rewarded by the knowledge that they may, in the course of their work, learn something that no one else has ever understood. Teaching microbiologists gain satisfaction in helping others learn about a discipline they find fascinating.

Starting salaries for microbiologists also vary a great deal, depending on whether a person is employed in industry or in the public sector. In general, positions in industry command higher salaries than positions in educational institutions, and individuals with many years of experience can command salaries at the high end of the range offered in their particular career path and at their educational level. Salaries for microbiologists with a bachelor's degree start at about $18,000 per year, and range up to $50,000 per year. For microbiologists with a master's degree, the starting salary is typically $25,000 per year, and can rise to $80,000. For microbiologists with a doctoral degree, the starting salary is about $35,000 per year, and can range up to $200,000 or more.

Bibliography

American Society for Microbiology. Your Career in Microbiology: Unlocking the Secrets of Life. Washington, DC: Author, 1999.

Internet Resource

Careers in the Microbiological Sciences. American Society for Microbiology. http://www.asmusa.org/edusrc/edu21.htm.

—Patrick G. Guilfoile

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a specialist in microbiology

Microbiologists examining cultures on a Petri dish.

A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists. One of the microbiologists main research aim is to find out how microbes affect the world around them.

Educational Requirements

You generally need a doctoral degree to be a microbiologist. A bachelor's degree in Microbiology gives you the option of being a technician, but opportunities for advancement are limited. A master's degree in microbiology qualifies a person for many jobs in industry, teaching, and applied research. At the most it takes 10 years to earn a doctoral degree in microbiology. Along with that, to work in a laboratory (clinical laboratory license), a person must have lab experience and a combination of academic courses.

Specialists in the broad field of microbiology include:

• Bacteriologists, who work in the field of bacteriology and study bacteria.
• Environmental microbiologists - work in the field of environmental microbiology and study microbial processes in the environment.
• Food microbiologists, who work in the food industry and study pathogenic microorganisms that cause foodborne illness and spoilage.
• Industrial microbiologists, who generally work in biotechnology and study microorganisms that produce useful products.
• Medical microbiologists, medical practitioners (physicians) who have chosen to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of microbial diseases in patients.
• Mycologists, work in the field of mycology and study fungi.
• Protozoologists, who work in the field of protozoology and study protists.
• Virologists, who work in the field of virology and study viruses.
• Microbial epidemiologists, who study the role of microorganisms in health and illness.
• Immunologists, who study how the body defends itself against viruses, bacteria, and etc.

For a list of microbiologists see:

See also

• Environmental microbiology
• Food microbiology
• Oral microbiology
• Virology

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