Katie Copenhaver
About Katie Copenhaver
Katie Copenhaver serves as an R&D Associate Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in bio-based composites and large area additive manufacturing technologies. She has a strong academic background in Polymer and Fiber Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Katie Copenhaver has been employed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as an R&D Associate Staff since 2022. She works in the Manufacturing Science Division, where her research focuses on structured materials and adhesives. Prior to her current role, she served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the same institution from 2020 to 2022, contributing to various research initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Katie Copenhaver earned a Bachelor of Science in Polymer and Fiber Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, completing her studies from 2010 to 2014. She further pursued a Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering at the same institution, graduating in 2019. Her academic background equips her with expertise in bio-based composites, large area additive manufacturing technologies, bulk polymer characterization, and surface science.
Background in Research and Development
Katie Copenhaver has a diverse background in research and development, having worked in various capacities at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Her roles included Graduate Research Assistant from 2015 to 2019, Research Engineer in 2020, and several other positions focused on advanced concepts and electro-optical systems. Additionally, she has experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the National Science Foundation and as a Research Affiliate at EmiSense.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current position, Katie Copenhaver held several internships and roles in different organizations. She worked as a Marketing Intern at Shoap Technical Services in 2013 and as a Student-Athlete Tutor at Georgia Tech Athletic Association. She also gained experience at Cessna Aircraft Company as a Material and Process Engineering Intern in 2014, where she focused on finishes.