Careers in…Plant Biology

Crispin Taylor, PhD

Robert Frost MSCareer Day

December 5, 2008

American Society of Plant Biologists

What does “plant biology” include?•Food•Research•Fuel and fiber•Farms•Gardens•The environment

American Society of Plant Biologists

What do plant biologists do?•Basic research•Corporate research•Agricultural research•Teaching•Conservation•Many other things…

American Society of Plant Biologists

Where do plant biologists work?•Schools•Universities•Companies•In the government•Many other places…

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat skills do plant biologists (and scientists in general) need?•Curiosity•Critical thinking•Accuracy•Communication•Determination•Love of plants

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat do you need to do to become a plant biologist (or any other kind of scientist)?

•The longer (and harder) you work, the more options you’ll have!•And the more options you have, the happier you are likely to be!

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat do you need to do to become a plant biologist?

•Excel in math and science in high school

(4 years)•Get a Bachelor’s degree in science (with research experience)

(4-5 years)

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat do you need to do to become a plant biologist?•Excel in math and science in high school (3 years)•Get a Bachelor’s degree in science (with research experience) (4-5 years)•Get a Master’s degree in science

(2 years)

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat do you need to do to become a plant biologist?•Excel in math and science in high school (3 years)•Get a Bachelor’s degree in science (with research experience) (4-5 years)•Get a Master’s degree in science (2 years)•Go on for a PhD and postdoc

(another 8-plus years!)

American Society of Plant Biologists

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat path did I take?

American Society of Plant Biologists

American Society of Plant BiologistsPick YOUR path…

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat do I like about my work?•Meeting people; communicating•Using my brain•Helping people•Making a difference•Working independently•Working in teams•Having time for my family

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhat is not so much fun?

•Long hours•Busy weekends•Lots of travel

American Society of Plant BiologistsWhere do I work now?

•In a lovely house in Rockville

American Society of Plant BiologistsAnd what do I do there?

•Work for 5000 plant biologists•Work with 22 staff•Publish two scientific journals, online and in print•Support education and training•Go to meetings•HAVE FUN!

American Society of Plant Biologists

Let’s look at some plants…

American Society of Plant Biologists

And now (if we have time) let’s look at some plants that MOVE…

http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/usbg/

Careers in…Plant Biology

Crispin Taylor, PhD

Robert Frost MSCareer Day

December 5, 2008