Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Microbiologist
Microorganism study and application
What this life looks like
You study the invisible world that shapes all of life. Microbiologists investigate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms — understanding how they cause disease, how they can be used to make medicines and food, and how they maintain the ecosystems that sustain all living things. In Africa, microbiology is at the frontline of public health.
What she actually does
You culture and identify microorganisms in laboratory settings, test the effectiveness of antibiotics and antiviral compounds, develop diagnostic assays for infectious diseases, investigate disease outbreaks, quality-test food and water for microbial contamination, and conduct research to understand microbial behaviour and evolution.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Hospitals & Clinical Labs | Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, Groote Schuur Hospital |
| Public Health Agencies | NCDC Nigeria, Africa CDC, KEMRI Kenya, NICD South Africa — disease surveillance |
| Pharmaceutical Companies | Aspen Pharmacare, Cipla, Sanofi Africa — drug testing and quality control |
| Food & Beverage Industry | Nestlé, Unilever, SABMiller Africa — food safety testing and quality assurance |
Why it matters in Africa
Infectious diseases — including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, cholera, and Ebola — remain among the leading causes of death in Africa. Microbiologists are essential for surveillance, diagnosis, and response to these diseases. Africa's public health infrastructure depends on a strong microbiology workforce.
Your pathway in
- Study Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics at school
- Pursue a degree in Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related life science
- Complete practical laboratory training during your degree
- Consider postgraduate study in medical microbiology, food microbiology, or environmental microbiology
- Obtain professional membership with your national microbiology society
Skills you will need
- Aseptic laboratory techniques
- Microbial identification methods
- PCR and molecular diagnostics
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Laboratory safety and biosafety
- Scientific writing and reporting
A woman in this field
Dr. Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye
Nigeria
Adesola is a virologist and epidemiologist at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who has been at the frontline of Nigeria's response to multiple disease outbreaks including the COVID-19 pandemic and Lassa fever outbreaks. Her work in infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response represents the critical public health role that microbiologists play in protecting African communities.
Take your first step
- Study Biology and Chemistry thoroughly at school
- Research microbiology degree programmes at universities in your country
- Follow Nigeria's NCDC, Kenya's KEMRI, and Africa CDC on social media for disease surveillance updates
- Look for science fair opportunities or biology competitions to develop your analytical skills