Biology is a branch of science that focuses on life. From DNA, organ systems, and ecosystems to trees and oceans, anything related to life falls under the discipline of biology. So, whether you are outgoing or love the indoors, a team player or a solo performer, and interested in people, animals, or plants, there are numerous avenues to explore as a biologist.

Now is an exciting time to take a career in biology, especially with the numerous problems humanity is trying to solve i.e environmental protection, feeding people, and fighting diseases, among others.

You will come across biologists in every corner of the world working in an array of settings. These include hospitals, research facilities, classrooms, offices, jungles, forests, deserts, mountains, cliffs, frozen lands, museums, submarines, boats, airplanes, and treetops. You can work at many companies that specialize in biological research and development such as Fleet Bioprocessing.

That being said, let us take a closer look at the primary roles of biologists in the world today:

1. Planet Protection

Ecologists, environmental managers, and conservation biologists travel around the world documenting the environment, protecting and rebuilding habitats and ecosystems, monitoring the effects of global warming, etc.

2. Feeding People

Plant scientists, molecular biologists, and geneticists are working to improve the yields of the most important crops and prevent their destruction by elements like drought, diseases, and pests. These biologists are also tasked with enhancing nutritional health ascertaining essential vitamins and minerals in foods. Toxicists on the other hand ensure that the food is safe to consume.

3. Finding Cure

As a biologist looking to focus on finding cures for diseases, you can take a career in various avenues such as pharmacology, clinical biology, and physiology. In this field, you get to develop and test new medicine, test tissue and blood for diseases, and advice other practitioners on the best treatments. As a geneticist, you will be tasked with restoring immune systems and sight through the replacement of defective genes.

4. Fueling Up

We are in a world that is actively searching for new and sustainable fuels. Biochemists and biotechnologists combine chemistry, engineering, and biology to find sustainable forms of energy in order with the aim of using cleaner energies in the future.

5. Winning Gold

Sports scientists, physiologists, and human biologists are tasked with studying human anatomy from muscles and joints to cell growth and genes. This is to uncover how the environment, diet, culture, and diet affect athletic performance and what it takes to be top-tier.

6. Updating Their Status

There is an increasing number of biologists working in education and science communication. This is to increase awareness of this discipline in the communities and its importance. You will come across biologists in classrooms, TV and radio, blogs, and social media, publishing their works in newspapers and designing museum exhibits.

7. Swinging the Vote

There are biologists in almost every Government department. They are tasked with advising policymakers on various issues like how to prevent the spread of diseases, halting the reduction of honey bees in the country, contributing to biology research to the economy, and much more.

8. Blurring the Boundaries

It’s evident that some of the most exhilarating and innovative work in science happens at the boundaries where biology is combined with other disciplines like physics, chemistry, and maths. Examples of these avenues include:

• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Biophysics
• Bioengineering
• Biomaths & Computational Biology

The Takeaway

The decision to take a career in biology will provide valuable skills, knowledge, and experience. By studying at the university, you will garner skills that you can use regardless of the field you pick, both in and out of science. You will come across opportunities in almost every industry and so, if you were on the fence about becoming a biologist, I hope that this article has helped you make an informed decision.