Dr. Jim Cowles is currently the director of product safety at Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. where he is responsible for global regulatory defense of TKIs active ingredients and end-use products.

Prior to joining TKI, Dr. Cowles was the associate director and acting director of the Environmental Fate and Effects Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, USEPA. Before working at EPA, Dr. Cowles was the agency toxicologist for the Washington State Department of Agriculture where he served as a science and policy advisor to the Director of Agriculture. While working at WSDA, Dr. Cowles was nominated to the National Research Council panel for Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species from Pesticides. Dr. Cowles received his doctorate in environmental toxicology from Clemson University and has more than 25 years working on pesticide science and regulatory issues.