Agricultural Careers

By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Jennie Simpson

Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

Georgia Department of Education

June 2005

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Parasitologist

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.

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 beshared with the scientific andagricultural communities

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.

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.

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.

Related Careers

• Agricultural Inspector

• Agronomist

• Biological Scientist

• Ecologist

• Entomologist

• Nematologist

• Pharmacologist

•Veterinarian

Career Resources

American Society of ParasitologistsC/o University of Iowa Biology

DepartmentIowa City, IA 52422

Internet: http://asp.unl.edu

American Society for Microbiology1752 N Street NW

Washington, DC 20036Internet: http://www.asm.org/