The world is changing fast in the wildlife kingdom and we need to be able to help wildlife thrive in their natural habitat. We couldn’t do this without the help of wildlife biologist and zoologist. These professionals study the characteristics and behavior of animals – gaining a better understanding of how they interact with each other and their environments. Through breeding programs, informational presentations, and collecting and analyzing biological specimens, zoologists and wildlife biologists work on the front lines of the effort to preserve our planet’s biodiversity.
Did you know there are more than 10,000 different grape varieties? That means thousands of unique tastes, colors, and potential uses. Viticulturists are experts in the growing of grapes – working to ensure vineyards deliver the quality and quantity of grapes required to meet demand for beverage and food production. Often the head of operations, viticulturists are responsible for all portions of the grape growing process, including soil preparation, pest and disease control, irrigation and proper harvesting.
Soil shares the same structure and capabilities as the largest human organ—the skin. Both are complex, layered, protective yet flexible and support every function that sustains life. Soil scientists study soil’s dynamic composition to understand how it can be managed to protect and improve agricultural practices, environmental quality and human health.
We live in a world of green and growing things; fruits, vegetables, flowers and other types of plants not only make our world beautiful, but they also provide the food we need. The plant world contains thousands of varieties of plants that Horticulturists study and conduct experiments on to develop ways to maximize their growth and health. They may determine optimal soil composition, research chemical-free pest management solutions or oversee nurseries and greenhouses.
Plant pathologists evaluate plant species from both a micro and macro level to determine pathogens affecting the life and production of the plant. This career is vital for the innovation of plant growth and production practices that protect individual plants and are environmental safe and effective.
Centuries ago, ears of corn were less than an inch long and only produced about ten hard kernels that tasted like dry, raw potatoes. The corn we grow and eat today is 100 times larger, with about 800 sweet and juicy kernels. The evolution from a tiny, tasteless crop to a flavorful food staple is the work of plant geneticists. By selectively breeding crops based on desirable qualities – such as yield, flavor, size and nutrient value – plant geneticists improve and create new varieties of crops and plants.
A plant biologist knows plants and their life cycle better than they know themselves. They use that knowledge to maximize, protect and manage crops and agricultural plants and trees. Starting from the root—literally, with expertise in soil and pests—plant biologists research the perfect conditions for plants to thrive in. Because of their research, farmers make the most of their yearly crop to feed the world.
You are what you eat, and it’s a nutritionist’s job to ensure that the food consumed by people has a positive impact on health, growth and wellbeing. Working in the agbioscience sector, they may evaluate the nutritional value of feed, make observations to better understand eating habits, or adjust nutrients in products.
Ever wondered how DNA was discovered? That was the work of a molecular and cellular biologist! These scientists study cells’ interaction and their diverse functionality to discover what fuels and sustains life. Their research is applied across many areas—including genetically engineering new crops, applying DNA-based technology for animal breeding, addressing environmental health and so much more.
Our water supply is, well, less than infinite—and hydrologists are our go-to scientists and activists for conserving it. Their passion for protecting this limited resource, combined with their deep understanding of how water circulates above- and underground, paves the way for more innovative solutions to the evolving environmental, agricultural and societal needs. But it’s not just about water conversation; hydrologists help humans adapt to its unpredictability for a more harmonious coexistence.
