Parasitologists study parasites wherever they occur, whether they are viruses, bacteria, protists, worms, insects, or a whether they belong to a myriad of other taxonomic groups. And parasitology is a dynamic field because the relationships between parasites and their hosts are dynamic, constantly changing. Parasitism comprises an ecological relationship between two individuals of different species where the parasite's environment is another living organism. Parasites and hosts are locked into a continuous struggle for survival, and understanding the mechanisms that each side in this battle uses to gain advantages challenges parasitologists to understand biological phenomena at the cutting edge of a wide variety of scientific disciplines. A diversity of career options exist within the field of parasitology because parasites affect the world in so many different ways.
Rewarding careers await parasitologists with interests in medicine and public health.
Veterinary parasitologists play vital roles in controlling diseases of domestic animals. Agriculture and aquaculture are dependent upon parasitologists to assist in providing plant and animal food for an increasing human population. Parasitologists contribute significantly to our basic understanding of the manner in which our biological world functions. Ecologists, molecular biologists, immunologists, evolutionary biologists, systematists study parasites and provide a source of information regarding fundamental biological principles. This basic research forms the foundation upon which applications of benefit to man are derived.