Rosie and Riff Talk to Linda Holman, a Microbiologist

Ms. Holman, what do you do?
I test water from lakes and streams to see whether it is clean and safe for people to use. Sometimes I also test the water in bottles from the store and in vending machines, or in the wells and pipes that bring water into homes and other buildings. I look for tiny germs that might make people sick. I'm a Microbiologist in the City of Houston public health laboratory.

How did you decide to do this kind of work?
At first I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I began studying, I found that I really liked lab work. As I finished college, I decided I wanted to work in a lab that helps to keep people and animals healthy.

Have you always been interested in science?
Yes, I've always loved science, especially learning about animals and nature. Science is fun! It's like being a detective, because you figure out how and why things happen.

What do you like most about your work?
My work helps make water safe for everyone to use. People depend on me to work carefully. I really enjoy doing that. I feel good about knowing I can do something well.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Science is exciting, but it's important to learn about all the other subjects in school too. A good scientist needs to know about language, math, and social studies as well as science. Another important thing to remember is to be patient. Don't give up, but just keep on trying until it works out.

What is a microbiologist? A microbiologist is a kind of scientist who studies very tiny living things —so tiny, in fact, that they only can be seen by using a microscope. "Micro" comes from a Greek word that means very small. What other words to you know that start with "micro"?