Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 2/18/2009

Question
My teacher told us to interview someone with our chosen career and I really don't know anyone whose a biologist. She told us that we can ask questions by e-mail, so that's what im doing.

1.)What education do you need to be a biologist?

2.)Why did you choose to be a biologist?

3.)What did it feel like when you first started working?

4.)What is the range of salaries for a biologist?

5.)What different kinds of biologists are there?

6.)How do you feel when you discover something new?

7.)What kind of biologist are you and why did you choose that?

8.)Where could I go to school study biology?

9.)How risky is being a biologist?

10.)What does it take to be a biologist?

Thank you so much for your help.

Answer
Dear Dianne,

1.)What education do you need to be a biologist?

You need at least a Bachelor of Science degree in biology to get any sort of job in a biological field, but most professional biologists have either a Master's or Ph.D.  A Ph.D. is required if you are going to be a primary researcher in a laboratory.

2.)Why did you choose to be a biologist?

It's not the money!  ;)  I chose it because I love biology, and I also love the type of people who are biologists.  They are very different from medical types or others.  Biologists tend to be free spirits (especially organismal biologists and field biologists) who are independent and smart.

3.)What did it feel like when you first started working?

"Hooray!  I have a job!"  My primary function at the moment is teaching, and I love doing it.  Standing in front of a room of 200+ students who don't know anything about what you're about to tell them is fun and exciting--especially if you can transmit that excitement to your students.

4.)What is the range of salaries for a biologist?

The range is vast.  A nascent biologist doing tech work might make as little as $22,000, whereas a research scientist in a large lab can make well into the six-figure range.  Department heads make that kind of money, too.

5.)What different kinds of biologists are there?

Too many to easily list.  Within biology there is a tremendous variety, such as ecology, ecosystem management, genetics, medical research, and research in any of the subdisciplines, such as animal behavior, neuroscience, developmental biology, evolutionary biology,and intersections among them.
6.)How do you feel when you discover something new?

7.)What kind of biologist are you and why did you choose that?

I'm an evolutionary biologist who studied reptiles and amphibians and birds for dissertation work.  I just find those organisms fascinating.  My current expertise is in the area of lagomorphs (rabbits and hares).

But I really do love teaching biology the most.  It's very rewarding to be able to inspire people who haven't yet decided what they want to do.

8.)Where could I go to school study biology?

Almost every major university has a major in biology.  Take your pick.

9.)How risky is being a biologist?

Depends on what you do.  If you're working in the field, there are the usual dangers of the environment.  (We have a group working on population biology of rodents in the Everglades, and they face a constant danger of being struck by lightning in the summer!) If you're working in a lab with pathogens or human tissues, there's the danger of being infected with something nasty (Of course you take precautions!).

But there are many fields in biology that are not dangerous at all.

10.)What does it take to be a biologist?

A love of science and math, a willingness to work very hard, long hours sometimes, and an appreciation and love of the natural world.

Good luck on your project!

Dana