Our Experts
Meet Our Experts
Scientific Expertise. Innovative Thinking. Reliable Results.
Our team of highly skilled scientists, chemists, and laboratory professionals combines advanced academic credentials, including master’s degrees and Ph.D.s, with extensive hands-on experience and specialized expertise in polymers.
From routine materials testing and characterization to complex investigations requiring custom-developed methods, our experts leverage advanced analytical technologies and a collaborative, solutions-driven approach to deliver reliable results and actionable insights tailored to each client’s needs.
Kyle Copeland
General Manager / Senior Scientist
Kyle received his B.S. in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi before gaining over 25 years of experience in multiple sectors of the plastics industry. Before joining SGS PSI in 2010, Kyle held positions in project management, production management, polymer synthesis & processing, sales and marketing, and R&D. Utilizing his educational background and extensive experience he generates efficient testing plans that truly address each client’s unique needs..
Jennifer Brooks, Ph.D
Director of Project Management & Senior Scientist
Jennifer started at SGS PSI in 2002 after receiving her B.S., M Eng, and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech. Jennifer is a driving force in the development of SGS PSI. Her ability to pull together disparate pieces of data and information to create novel testing programs and solutions makes chemistry seem more like art than science. Jennifer excels at collaboration both with our staff and our clients..
Beth Caba, Ph.D.
Senior Project Manager & Senior Scientist
Beth received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech. Prior to joining the SGS PSI team in 2007 Beth worked for DuPont, where she developed a detailed understanding of project management, process management, quality, safety, and industry requirements. Beth consistently creates novel test protocols that meet strict quality and safety requirements, yet remain relevant to industry demands and the bottom line.
Alan Sentman, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Lab Manager, & Applied Chemistry & Spectroscopy Expert
Alan joined SGS PSI after receiving his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California Riverside, and his Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry from the University of California Berkeley. Alan continues to up the ante in the development of our spectroscopy and applied chemistry labs, develops new in house capabilities, and teaches our team something new every day. The Applied Chemistry and Spectroscopy Lab is fortunate to have him as a Lab Manager, and SGS PSI is fortunate to have him as an expert.
Jason Todd, M.Sc.
Chromatography Lab Manager
Jason has been with SGS PSI since 1999 and his attention to detail is second to none. His contributions and knowledge base have been instrumental in SGS PSI’s growth. Jason has developed an expertise in deformulations, additives analysis, mass spectrometry, and method development.
Leah Childress
Quality Assurance Manager
Leah received her B.S. in Chemistry from Appalachian State University of North Carolina before spending six years as a chromatography analyst between SGS North America Environmental, Health and Safety testing laboratory in Anchorage, Alaska and the Polymer Solutions laboratory in Christiansburg, Virginai. Leah’s drive and detail-oriented mentality transitioned her into the Quality Assurance Manager position, where she strives to instil confidence in our clients through meticulous documentation, transparency, and adherence to both regulatory standards and internal standards of excellence.
Phillip Davis
Senior Operations Manager
Phillip joined SGS PSI in 2025 as Senior Operations Manager after 13 years serving aerospace & defense clients in the TIC industry. He brings knowledge from previous roles centered around operational excellence, program management, capital projects, and leadership management. Phillip focuses on leading through the lean management framework of SQDC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost). Drawing on this framework and his experience across laboratory and production environments, he is committed to providing customers with accurate test results, short lead times, and cost-effective service.
Kristin Tolley
Sales Support & Project Coordinator
Kristin is the vital first point of contact for clients seeking analytical solutions at SGS PSI. She manages the front end of the sales and project lifecycle, translating initial client inquiries into actionable testing frameworks. By organizing new opportunities, generating accurate quotations, and coordinating incoming timelines, Kristin builds a highly organized foundation for every project before handing it off to the project management team. Her proactive communication and operational support keep the department running efficiently, ensuring both our customers and our internal team are set up for success from day one.