[quote=@Prints Avoid]
What's the world like in terms of Pokemon research and stuff? Have we got these famous professors around making huge discoveries? 
I ask because I'm seeing my character as one who wants to get out and do field research on wild Pokemon.
[/quote]

Yes for sure, professors are just that however, professors. Not mentors or secret tutors to aspiring trainers, The instances of a professor giving a starter to a new trainer are very low. Professors are the authority on Pokemon knowledge though, Just like how i don't know the talents and abilities of every animal on this planet, the average person wouldn't know to terribly much about most Pokemon. 
Professors discovered most forms of evolution, breeding techniques and mega-evolution.

But yeah, going on journey to learn as much as possible about the pokemon world isn't uncommon for aspiring researchers when a formal education isn't financially possible