Zane Kraft
Laboratory technicians (sometimes called “lab techs,” research technicians, or science technicians) do much of the day-to-work in the lab, including purifying and sequencing DNA, caring for laboratory machinery, and analyzing samples. Zane Kraft works on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) vaccine research, trying to find ways to stop or prevent infection. He performs experiments in molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and protein biochemistry.
To learn more about his background and work, read the PDF transcript of the interview with Zane Kraft or download the PowerPoint presentation.
Visit Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (Seattle BioMed) at: http://www.seattlebiomed.org/
To learn about job prospects, what biological technicians do, and salary information for biological technicians, visit the US Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Life-Physical-and-Social-Science/Biological-technicians.htm
The Commonwealth of Virginia has a “Career Guide for Biological Technicians” which details the skills, knowledge, abilities, and tasks required to be a biological or laboratory technician, as well as sample career path for a technician, beginning with a Laboratory Aide and ending with a Laboratory Manager. For more information, visit: http://jobs.virginia.gov/careerguides/BiologicalTechs.pdf
To read a Seattle Times article about the work Zane Kraft does, visit: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003139170_aids20m.html
About.com offers a Career Brief for Laboratory Technicians, which includes short summaries about required education, job outlooks, salary, and “a day in the life” of a Laboratory Technician: http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/laboratory-technician.htm