Meet Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson, A Biologist!

Today, we’re talking with Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson, a biologist here at Answers in Genesis. Ever wondered what a biologist does? Well, let’s find out!

How did you get interested in biology?

I’ve long had an interest in science, perhaps because both my parents were once in the medical field. My dad was a dentist, and my mother was a nurse. But I never liked blood (I still look away when the doctor takes a sample of my blood!), and I still jump when I see slimy or scary bugs. Yet I somehow ended up in biology, studying how all the bugs came to be!

I think it’s the thrill of doing research that has really led me along the path of biology. Solving mysteries is great fun!

What are some examples of what you do as a biologist?

Early in my time at Answer in Genesis, I was focused on solving mysteries like, “How did zebras, donkeys, and horses all come from the same pair of horselike parents on board the ark? How did lions, tigers, cheetahs, and house cats all come from the pair of catlike parents on the ark?” Currently, I’m trying to solve the mystery of what happened in the Americas before Columbus arrived in AD 1492. Who was here? What were they doing? What empires did they build? What were their names? It’s so much fun coming into the office each day and sitting down to try to solve historical mysteries!

How did you get to be doing what you are today?

I got a degree in molecular biology and bioinformatics (fancy language for “studying life at the smallest levels and with computers”), and I later received a PhD in cell and developmental biology from Harvard University.

My graduate research involved studying mouse blood stem cells (the cells that keep blood alive), so I had to deal with lots and lots of mouse blood (ew!).

What is the most difficult part of your job?

Because Answers in Genesis is all about giving people answers to some of the most important questions in life, I fear doing research that ends up giving people the wrong answers or answers that I thought were right but ended up being wrong a few years down the road.

What have you learned about God through your work?

The biggest lessons I’ve learned about God have come not through my biology research, but through intense study of the Scriptures. It’s been one of the most fulfilling and profound activities I’ve participated in. I think every person should learn to study the Scriptures reverently, carefully, and diligently.

Any advice for kids who might be interested in a career like yours when they grow up?

Any student thinking about going to college needs to have some intense apologetics preparation first. Looking back on my own life, I can see how much I absorbed through homeschooling, through worldview conferences, and through extensive reading on my own. I encourage students to think about taking a year off between high school and college to be intensely trained in learning to defend their faith. Once someone has a strong apologetic foundation, then it’s important to get good scientific training.

Anything else about your field that you think would be interesting for kids?

Doing creation science research has been so much fun because we were able to make big discoveries in a short amount of time. Why? Because the Bible is true! It really isn’t that hard to find confirmation of the biblical history—it’s all around us if we’re willing to look!

Thanks, Dr. Jeanson, for telling us about what it’s like to be a biologist!

Do you want to learn more about what a particular type of scientist does? Do you have a question about God’s Word or his world that you want us to answer? Is there a topic you want to learn more about? Ask your parents to help you submit your question. We’d love to hear from you!