Erik Hedrick, Ph.D.
Associate Scientist
Erik is an Associate Scientist at Burdock Group, the leading food-safety consulting firm, headquartered in Orlando, FL.
Erik has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Toxicology from Texas A&M University. Erik has 12 years of cancer biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry experience.
Ten Questions with Erik:
In your own words, what do you do at Burdock Group?
I am an Associate Scientist. I help clients reach regulatory compliance by investigating the scientific literature and making compelling arguments from the scientific evidence through written documents such as a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) or other documents.
How do you prefer to start your day?
I wake up around 5:00 AM and do weightlifting/cardio at the gym.
What energizes you at work?
I always try to get motivated and excited about the details behind a project. I genuinely love science and love learning the intricacies of how our world works at the molecular level. Working at Burdock Group, every project is a puzzle or an argument that you have to persuasively prove. I enjoy being able to compile facts and evidence to support an argument and debate it logically on paper. It is very engaging, and it will always change what that argument will be and look like.
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I moved around quite a bit when I was a kid. I lived in several states and the longest I have ever lived in one area is five years.
What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
To be at home and spend time with Ashley.
What's your guilty pleasure?
I do love cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory and gummy candy.
Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I don't know if this is a talent, but I am fairly strong. Since I was 17, I have been into amateur bodybuilding and weightlifting. I can bench over 400 lbs. and my other lifts aren't too shabby either.
What's one song or artist that you're embarrassed to admit you like?
Honestly any 90s band you can think of that today people think are cheesy. I do like Backstreet Boys.
What's the top destination on your must-visit list?
My wife and I would love to go to Italy one day. I believe Ireland and Scotland would be great places to visit as well.
What's the weirdest food you've ever eaten?
I had alligator tail bites back in 2021. They actually tasted pretty good.