What it takes to be a scientist in a developing country

Scientists are people who make science their lifetime work or career. To be a scientist, one must adhere to the rules of the vocation and its code of conduct, as in any profession.

Science, defined as "systematic knowledge based on study and observation," is the way by which mankind has gained its stock of knowledge about itself, its surroundings and the laws of Nature. It has helped man provide for his basic needs and sustain his further development and survival.

The basic tool used by all scientists in the pursuit of science is the scientific method. It consists mainly of five steps: (l) identifying the problem or question, (2) formulating the hypothesis or possible explanation, (3) testing the hypothesis by gathering facts and making observations to validate or disprove it, (4) analyzing the facts or information gathered, and (5) arriving at a conclusion or finding that accepts or rejects the answer to (l).

There are various branches of basic and applied science. I chose the field of biology (the study of life), and specialized in the study of animals (zoology), more specifically fisheries (science of aquatic life).

I started my career in science with a B.S. in Zoology from the State University. Teaching was my first assignment. It was after I had worked for my M.S. in Applied Zoology that I learned the discipline and rudiments of scientific research through my thesis.

My skills and expertise in science were further honed with the dissertation I did for earning the degree of Ph.D. in Fisheries Management in the US.

Today, with aquatic and marine resources R&D administration as my main concern, I am still very much into scientific work and related activities such as field and table research, research monitoring and evaluation, and research output utilization.

So what does it take for one to be a scientist?

Advance degrees are important and very helpful for a professional but are not necessary for one to be a scientist. All it takes is for one to apply the scientific method and get the approval of peers on his/her methods and findings. In addition, I believe that a good scientist should have the virtues of commitment, relevance and excellence.

What is commitment? It is putting oneself fully to the task or chosen field of endeavor and making contributions for the advancement of such a field. Such a commitment can be for a certain part of one’s lifetime or for its whole.

When I chose to solve the problem of uncontrolled population growth of tilapia in ponds for my dissertation, I committed myself to apply the scientific method and carry out the work even after the publication of my paper until the final results benefited fish farmers.

In close relation to commitment are the sterling qualities of integrity, humility and creativity.

Yes, "honesty" is also "the best policy" in science. Intellectual honesty and keeping true to one’s scientific works and reports are the hallmarks of a good scientist.

Humility is the quality that a scientist should have in admitting mistakes and in willing to be corrected and/or criticized constructively by peers.

Creativity is what makes some scientists stand out from the rest. It is that special gift or effort that makes the ordinary extraordinary and the real difference in one’s field.

Let’s now talk about relevance. No one wants to be irrelevant or disconnected with reality, right? While science can be neutral or benign for "science’s sake," most scientists in a developing country like the Philippines have to be not only scientifically focused but economically well-oriented as well. This is because with limited resources the overlying concerns of development in our society are paramount and critical. Thus, relevance to the needs of our people (40 percent of whom live below the poverty level) for food security, productive and sustainable livelihood and income-generation may get higher priority for science and technology support than pure or basic science.

Finally, there is the value of excellence or the quality of being the best you can be in your field of science. A passion for excellence is one in which you strive to improve your scientific skills and know-how through continuing education, publications (read or published) and interacting with peers in meetings or through the Internet.

There you are. From my view as a scientist, it takes commitment, relevance and excellence to be one and remain one. Do you have what it takes to be one? Only you can answer that.

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Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III is presently the executive director of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology. He is also an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology and a member of the Philippine-American Association of Scientists and Engineers. His research interests are on aquaculture, aquatic resources management and vermiculture. He may be contacted through e-mail at [email protected] / [email protected].