What does a microbiologist study?

Many microbiologists work for colleges, universities, government agencies, or private research institutions and associations.

Their work touches a wide array of industries, including medicine, agriculture, and engineering. In medical settings, they determine how microorganisms affect human health, and in agriculture, they contribute to agricultural processes like fermentation. They may also give expert scientific knowledge on impact materials utilized in construction.

Certain microbiologists working in government-related roles may help policymakers craft legislation or help to inform the local, state, or the national public about certain health concerns.

They perform most of their research in laboratories, utilizing scientific equipment like microscopes to perform their studies and experiments with microorganisms. Many microbiologists design experiments seeking to achieve a certain effect or microbiological insight.

In labs, other tasks of a microbiologist include collecting, preserving, storing, and preparing microorganism samples and cultures, analyzing data, and identifying trends or patterns that lead to scientific conclusions and advancement.

Some microbiologists working in the university setting are professors who teach undergraduate and graduate students the study of microbiology. Here, they may also perform in a research capacity and publish papers or contribute to scientific journals on microbiology-related topics and research.