When you choose a laboratory to fulfill your environmental testing IAQ, forensic and materials testing needs, you need to be sure that they can give you accurate and reliable results. The technical competence of a laboratory depends on a number of factors including:
- The qualifications, training and experience of the staff
- The right equipment, properly calibrated and maintained
- Proper sampling practices, appropriate testing procedures, valid test methods, and adherence to national standards
- Accurate recording and reporting procedures
- The ability of clients to speak directly to the analyst working on their project
Our Vision
Scientific Analytical Institute provides environmental testing to ensure public health. We deliver credible, comprehensive research and analysis that gives our clients and their end customers the means to make sound and insightful environmental health decisions.
Our Mission
The mission of Scientific Analytical Institute (SAI) is to protect the public from exposure to environmental toxins, achieved through state-of-the-art standardized testing protocols diligently and consistently applied. SAI is dedicated to creating a friendly and fair work place, where new ideas and hard work are appreciated and growth is encouraged. This internal culture, taken to heart, fosters outstanding professionalism and customer service as a natural by-product of this dedicated philosophy, through which our mission is succinctly facilitated, and, as a cohesive team, fulfilled.
Our Points of Culture
Adaptability:
I support my team members’ and customers’ ability to detect and respond to new needs. I will strive to see what others cannot and act upon it. I will be open to new ideas and be ready to make changes by being constantly aware of opportunities to improve myself and processes.
Accountability:
My work safeguards the public, I have the responsibility to ensure we are providing the most accurate results possible.
Compassion:
I will endeavor to build a caring community every day.
Integrity:
I am dedicated to consistency, reliability, and honesty.
Passion:
I am enthusiastic and emotionally engaged about creating a healthier and safer world.
Proactive:
I am driven to seek opportunities to make SAI better.
Responsiveness:
I succinctly react in a timely manner to inquiries and tasks under my control.
Our People
SAI employs talented and degreed professionals with proven expertise in their particular fields to handle all aspects of your testing and reporting.
Each analyst fully participates in rigorous training and regulated testing to ensure that SAI consistently delivers top-quality results.
The SAI team retains experienced specialists in the areas of asbestos, chemistry, silica, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Nathan Durham, MS
Since 2003, quality and unparalleled customer service have made Scientific Analytical Institute (SAI) the preferred choice for environmental laboratory services. Nathan’s vision was to build a customer and employee-centric laboratory. With Nathan’s direction and passion for excellent customer service and satisfaction, SAI has become that laboratory. SAI is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP Lab Code 200664-0) for TEM and PLM. Additionally, SAI is fully accredited by The American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Laboratory Accreditation Program, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC), meeting all requirements of the ISO 17025:2017 Standards. We offer a full spectrum of analyses through all three AIHA accrediting programs: EMLAP, ELLAP and IHLAP.
Ian Bunker
Ian’s 10+ years of executive-level experience in business development, marketing, sales team’s management, and channel development, is consistently driving sales growth for SAI. Ian’s ability to put our clients in the position to succeed on each and every project is paramount and has provided great customer retention/growth and a worldwide presence for SAI.
Derek Jones
Derek is responsible for the inherent technology at SAI. His responsibilities include management of the network and security infrastructures, LIMS and other applications’ development, VOIP system and telephony, all computer hardware, software and peripherals, internet and intranet security. Derek also provides senior level management to the Sample Coordination department.
MaryJane Stotts
MaryJane is responsible for the financial and accounting procedures in accordance with local, state and federal reporting requirements. She administers payroll and office operations insuring proper maintenance and retention of related files.
Ired Gulley
Ired is responsible for the overall production of the laboratory, His 15 years of laboratory experience provides the well-rounded, hands-on methodology needed to ensure all of our laboratories are running at their optimum. Ired also manages our X-ray Detraction department (XRD)
Russell Shelton
Russell manages our TEM department. For the last 10 years at SAI, Russell has been assisting in the overall Lab production in one or multiple areas. As assistant Laboratory Director he is responsible for Lab Supply, QA/QC for Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) & Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), the Pump Loan/Supply Program and Materials (Legal – Cosmetic/Product Testing) TEM/SEM/FTIR.
Sharon Donald
Sharon’s broad range of experience in both the field and laboratory has been instrumental to the growth of SAI. She has used this knowledge to train PLM and PCM analysts with not only the analytical skills they need, but also the “why”. Her knowledge of PLM and PCM has also been irreplaceable in maintaining both NVLAP (NVLAP lab code 200664-0) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Laboratory Accreditation Program, LLC (AIHA-LAP,LLC) accreditations. Sharon also continues to serve as PCM Manager.
Heather Davide
Heather manages the Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) department; assuring workflow, turn-around-times and Quality Control are in accordance with the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP Lab Code 200664-0) for the analysis of bulk asbestos. Heather is also a member of the Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) departments.
Palmer Hines
Palmer manages SAI’s EMLAP accredited Microbiology laboratory assuring workflow, turn-around-times and Quality Control are in accordance with the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Laboratory Accreditation Program, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC).
Matthew Caffey
Matt manages the ELLAP and IHLAP accredited Chemistry laboratory assuring workflow, turn-around-times and Quality Control are in accordance with the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Laboratory Accreditation Program, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC).
Brandon Griffin
Brandon manages for the Software Development team at SAI. His past contributions to the field of pattern recognition through the use of k-NN non-parametric classification and Convex Hull algorithms to interpret sign language, provide unique insight that help bridge the gap between human perception and machine interpretation. Brandon’s insight and experience has led to several improvements to our ever changing LIMS. He hopes to make the lives of SAI employees easier by resolving the technical frustrations commonly encountered in software systems.
Mamie G Stuart
Mamie manages the team of Sample Coordinators responsible for the intake and distribution of samples on a daily basis. Our Sample Coordination department is our first and most often, last point of contact to our customers. Mamie and her team provides customer follow-up to ensure all projects are accurately reported in a timely manner.
Bourke Vaughan
Bourke manages SAI’s Materials Science department. In addition, he is in charge of operations and engineering ensuring that our equipment and instruments are kept up-to-date and fully functional.
Laura Nelson (née Deasley)
Laura lives and works in Charleston SC, where she enjoys helping her clients in the Carolinas and Georgia. She is fortunate to work with a number of the best and brightest environmental consultants and industrial hygienists in the industry. Working closely with our VP of Business Development, her pride and passion enables her to provide great customer service at all levels. It’s her goal to make SAI the premier source for quality laboratory analysis. Laura is available to answer questions for all things SAI!
Our Credentials
SAI attended the American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition (AIHce) which took place June 4-7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington.
AIHA Accredited
SAI is fully accredited by The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), meeting all requirements of the ISO 17025:2017 Standards. We offer a full spectrum of analyses through all three AIHA accrediting programs:
- Full EMLAP accreditation for Microbiology; spore traps, direct examination.
- Full ELLAP accreditation for environmental lead (NLLAP and HUD).
- Full IHLAP accreditation for industrial hygiene, including IAQ gravimetric, asbestos and respirable silica by XRD.
NVLAP Accredited (NVLAP Lab code 200664-0)
The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP Lab code 200664-0), administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), represents the highest standards of the asbestos testing industry. SAI is fully accredited for:
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
- Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM).
Browse SAI’s full list of accreditations.
Our Equipment
SAI’s light microscopes are made by Leica, leader in high quality optics. Our electron microscopes, state-of-the-art JEOL TEMs, expertly handle identification of asbestos, while also serving as a more sophisticated tool for forensic and materials analysis.
SAI is equipped with a 2006 PANalytical X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) manufactured specifically for SAI. This machine allows our experts to analyze silica and other materials with impressive accuracy in unparalleled turn-around-times.
Our Innovation
Now, through SAI’s proprietary electronic chain of custody (e-chain), you can submit your sample information electronically. By doing so, this preserves the integrity of your sample information throughout the recording and reporting process.
Additionally, through SAI’s proprietary Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), the laboratory data can be returned to you electronically.
Our on-site programming team is ready to customize solutions for your specific needs.
This unique value added service will save you time and ensure accurate results — every time.
Our Difference
We at SAI pride ourselves on putting service back into the laboratory service industry, one sample at a time.
Whatever your needs — quick turnaround, overnight results, weekend analysis — you can rest assured we will seek to assist you as best we possibly can.
When you need us, we’ll deliver accurately and on-time.