She earned a B.S. in chemistry and an M.S. in toxicology. After eight years in the field, she returned to school where she earned her doctorate in toxicology. Dr. Buckley has worked in many sectors in this field. I define it as a scientist who studies the adverse effects of chemicals on biologic systems. So a toxicologist would obtain data on the toxicity of materials and then use this information to make a prediction about the hazard that these materials might pose to people or their environment.
Many people probably think of forensic toxicologists, who study poisons and antidotes.
The field is a lot more widespread and diverse than that. Toxicologists are involved in the characterization of chemical hazards, and these hazards exist in the workplace, our food and water, drugs and the environment. So a toxicologist might work for a pharmaceutical company or in the chemical industry and be involved in the discovery and development of new drugs and pesticides. A regulatory toxicologist tests standards and evaluates data from a public health perspective. Environmental toxicologists have expanded the area into the study of the effects of chemicals on flora and fauna.