A professional who studies mechanism of life processes of edible, poisonous, and parasitic fungi to discover those that are useful to medicine, agriculture, and industry. Responsibilities include:

• Studies structure, affinities, classification, genetics, physiology, and growth of fungi.
• Applies findings to agriculture, medicine, and industry for development of drugs, medicines, molds, and yeasts.
• May specialize in research and development in such fields as antibiotics or fabric deterioration.
• May develop improved methods of propagating and growing edible fungi, as mushrooms and be designated Mushroom-Spawn Maker.