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Biogerontologist Career
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Biogerontologist Job Description
A relatively new and emerging field of medicine, Biogerontology focuses on physiology, biology and genetics to investigate into the process of aging of cells, organs and the entire body.
A Biogerontologist spends considerable amount of time conducting research in the domain of stem cells, free radicals, antioxidants and immunology to reduce the harmful effects of aging. A Biogerontologist investigates into the effects of aging such as weakness, dementia and deterioration of body functions and attempts to improve the quality and length of life.
Stem cell research is the primary area of research for biogerontologists. They study these stems cells which have a quality of transforming into different form of cells essential for body growth. As one ages; so does the number of stem cells in the body, which in turn reduces the ability of the body to rejuvenate and produce new cells. This results in overall deterioration and degeneration of bodily functions. Implanting fresh stem cell tissue into the body in an attempt to reverse the process of aging is what biogerontologist are attempting to investigate.
Biogerontologist Skills/Duties
Though the primary focus area of a Biogerontologist is attempting to study age related problems and conduct research studies to reverse the process, some Biogerontologists may focus exclusively upon particular medical conditions, e.g., dementia, osteoporosis, etc and attempt to understand the causes increased incidence of these diseases with increasing age.
Since, a Biogerontologist is primarily concerned with research work, he/she normally works in indoor settings or in laboratories, where they attempt to understand the structure and engineering of the human body.
Most of the Biogerontologists work in Laboratories at pharmaceutical companies, research centers or universities.
A biogerontologist may have to deal with dangerous chemical substances as a part of the research assignment, work for long hours with a high level of precision and invariably face the pressure of being unsuccessful.
In addition, some of the biogerontologists may face the pressures of finding new sources of funding to continue their research or even look at various cost reduction techniques.
Biogerontologist Education and Training
• For candidates, keen to pursue this profession, majors in any scientific field including biology, microbiology or genetics may be helpful to gain admission into a medical school or purse a master’s or PhD program.
• During the course of training, a candidate may be required to do internships or work under other trained biogerontologists in the research labs, to gain hands on experience.
• However, to conduct ones own research in the domain of biogerontology, a PhD is mandatory.
Biogerontologist Job Outlook
Though, it is a relatively newer field, the job prospects appear to be good. Since considerable amount of research is being conducted in the domain of aging and efforts are being made to identify the causes of aging, there is limited breakthrough. However, with increasing research and documentation, it seems possible that we might be able to conquer the natural process of aging soon.
However, the profession is also faced with the challenge of ensuring continuous flow of funding support for research work, which comes primarily for pharmaceutical industry and occasionally from university based research centers.
Biogerontologist Salary
The salary depends upon the age, experience and extent of successful research studies published by the biogerontologist. On an average, a biogerontologist would earn between $60,000 to $100,000 annually. If a Biogerontologist is associated with a University or a college, the salary may increase, especially if he/she is involved in teaching.
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