Agricultural Careers

1. Agricultural Careers Parasitologist By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Jennie Simpson Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. What Is a Parasitologist? • Parasitologists study parasites wherever they occur. • Parasites include viruses, bacteria, protists, worms, insects, and a myriad of other taxonomic groups. • Veterinary parasitologists play vital roles in controlling the diseases of domestic animal, from heartworm in dogs and cats to parasites that infect cattle. • Several fields of agriculture and aquaculture are also dependent upon parasitologists to assist in providing plant and animal food for an increasing human population.

3. Duties of a Parasitologist • Studies characteristics, habits, and life cycles of plant and animal parasites • Investigates modes of transmission from host to host • Develops methods and agents to combat parasites • May specialize in study of one variety of parasite • Publishes articles about research findings in • journals so that the information can be • shared with the scientific and • agricultural communities

4. Becoming a Parasitologist • Parasitologists should be able to write well and communicate clearly and knowledgably. • They must always display a positive attitude and be able to work well individually or as part of a team. • Parasitologists should be patient, methodical, and must have an eye for detail and accuracy. • They should be curious, inquisitive, and especially interested in areas of biology and other sciences. • They must also have good computer skills and an expert knowledge of laboratory procedures.

5. Education • There are some job opportunities in parasitology for those with a bachelor’s degree, but most jobs will require a masters or doctorate. • Parasitologists must earn a Bachelor’s degree first, usually in biology. • Those planning on directing research projects or being employed as university professors will need to earn advanced degrees. • A good background in mathematics, computer science and statistics will provide skills necessary for almost all areas of parasitology. • If interested in animal parasitology, volunteer at a local animal shelter or veterinary clinic.

6. Employment • Salary for a parasitologist at entry level can range from $29,000 with a bachelor’s degree to $48,000 with a doctorate. Those with experience can earn an average salary ranging between $35,000 and $68,000. • A parasitologist who works as a university professor can earn anywhere between $44,000 and $73,000 a year, depending on their rank as a professor. • Human population growth will exert pressure on those employed in areas of agriculture to increase our food supply. • Parasitologists will be employed to contribute to this effort by assisting in the emerging field of aquaculture. There is a lot of competition in this field. However, the wide variety of jobs will provide those that are qualified with plenty of employment.

7. Related Careers • Agricultural Inspector • Agronomist • Biological Scientist • Ecologist • Entomologist • Nematologist • Pharmacologist • Veterinarian

8. Career Resources American Society of Parasitologists C/o University of Iowa Biology Department Iowa City, IA 52422 Internet: http://asp.unl.edu American Society for Microbiology 1752 N Street NW Washington, DC 20036 Internet: http://www.asm.org/