That information could then be used by climate modelers who are trying to estimate how quickly our atmosphere might change. An ecologist might study what makes rodent or insect populations rise and fall. That information could be passed on to epidemiologists, who often track the spread of disease from animals to humans. A cell biologist might study how a single cell develops into a complex organism with numerous tissue types. His or her insights could explain why cancer cells grow out of control and may lead to future treatments.
Many researchers work at colleges and universities, where they also teach.
Industry employs research biologists in fields such as biotechnology, drug development, and food processing. Some research biologists work for the government, where they aim to protect and restore the environment, breed better crops, fight human and animal diseases, evaluate food and drug safety, or work on space missions. Researchers attend seminars, read scientific journals, and write articles to tell others about their results. Some travel to exotic places to do their work. Researchers often need help from skilled people trained in biology.