Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Toxicology, Texas A&M University, 2021
  • B.S., Biochemistry, Florida Institute of Technology, 2017
Professional Honors
  • National Institute of Health T32 Trainee Fellow, 2018
  • Texas A&M Merit Fellow, 2017-2021
  • Astronaut Scholar, 2016
Professional Affiliations
  • Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), 2018 – present
    • National and Regional North Atlantic Chapter

Dr. Folcik is a toxicologist with an interdisciplinary background in risk assessment, water quality, biochemistry, and environmental and ecotoxicology. Her doctoral research focused on the development of new applications for high energy electron beam irradiation for the removal of cyanobacteria and their associated toxins from drinking water. 

Dr. Folcik studied the chemical and biological effects of ionizing radiation, the feasibility of implementing such technologies into existing water treatment infrastructure, as well as using irradiation in more traditional applications. In addition to her work assessing cyanotoxins, she has experience investigating the effects of mixtures of agricultural chemicals on freshwater phytoplankton using standard laboratory toxicity tests. She also assessed the degradation of PFAS substances in water, sediments, and sludges with electron beam technology.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Folcik earned her Ph.D. in Toxicology from Texas A&M University and her B.S. in Biochemistry from Florida Institute of Technology. Concurrent with her graduate studies, Dr. Folcik worked as an environmental consulting intern where she contributed to ecological risk assessment criteria for PFAS substances. As part of her undergraduate research, she developed and published a paper on small particle tracking methodology which was used to investigate quorum sensing behavior in unicellular algae. She also worked as a research intern at the National Center for Toxicological Research where she identified possible biomarkers for indicating organ-specific toxicities caused by tyrosine kinase inhibiting drugs. In addition to her research background, Dr. Folcik has a passion for science communication and scientific outreach. Dr. Folcik has presented her work at various regional, national, and international conferences, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and is an active member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC).