Inside IALR

Host Caleb Ayers sits down with Meredith Gregory, Director of Digital Strategy and Program Management, to explore the real-world applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and business. Meredith shares her journey from Northern Virginia to IALR, explains the foundational math behind AI and discusses how companies can adopt AI tools to solve specific problems. From resume restructuring to computer vision for defect detection, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone interested in integrating AI into their operations. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

In this episode of Inside IALR, host Caleb Ayers is joined by Ereina Avery (Austal USA), Jon Harrison (Phillips Corporation), and Jason Wells (IALR) for a deep dive into the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCOE). Together, they explore how this unique public-private consortium is transforming the Navy’s supply chain by developing and deploying 3D-printed parts for ships and submarines. From powder bed fusion to wire arc deposition, the team breaks down the technologies, the challenges of scaling additive manufacturing and the mission-driven collaboration that makes it all possible. Hear how AM CoE has delivered critical parts in record time, created transferable technical data packages, and built a model for innovation that supports both the warfighter and the future of manufacturing. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

In this special episode of Inside IALR, we take you straight to the floor of the Career ChoICE Youth Expo, a dynamic, hands-on career fair designed for middle and high school students across Southern Virginia. Hear directly from students as they explore everything from virtual reality welding and flight simulators to radiologic technology and forestry. Employers and educators share why this event matters—and how it's helping shape the region’s future workforce. Whether it's a seventh grader dreaming of the presidency or a tenth grader discovering equestrian veterinary medicine, this episode is packed with inspiration, curiosity, and real-world impact. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program is preparing the next generation of skilled workers for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base. With an 85% job placement rate and graduates from nearly every state, ATDM is creating real career opportunities. In this episode, recent graduates Dylan Carter and Angel Gallaher describe how the program equipped them with technical expertise and career-ready confidence. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

In this episode of Inside IALR, we sit down with President Telly Tucker and Executive Vice President of Operations Dr. John Hughes for a wide-ranging conversation about growth, leadership and the mission of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. From managing exponential expansion to filling workforce gaps, Tucker and Hughes reflect on how IALR continues to transform lives in Southern Virginia and beyond. Along the way, they share candid insights on challenges, opportunities, and the people who make it all possible. This episode offers a thoughtful look behind the curtain at IALR’s momentum, future regional economic transformation, leadership in action, and how innovation takes shape across research, manufacturing, workforce and education. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

What is it like to be a woman teaching advanced manufacturing in a field where men make up the majority? Hear it from three members of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) instructional team: welding instructor Makayla Baker, metrology instructor Holly Lyle and welding technician Autumn King. As the only women on a team of nearly 40 instructors and technicians, they share their career journeys, classroom experiences and what it means to mentor the next generation of manufacturing talent. Through their stories, you’ll hear how ATDM’s fast-paced, 600-hour program equips students for life-changing careers in welding, metrology and more—and why representation matters in the skilled trades. This conversation highlights the impact of teaching, perseverance, and opportunity. 🎙️Topics Covered: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

What happens when Ph.D. candidates, master’s students, undergrads and interns all share the same greenhouse? You get a powerful, layered research environment that grows more than just plants. In this episode of Inside IALR, we explore how the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center is not only advancing sustainable agriculture but also training the next generation of researchers and industry leaders. A partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech, the CEA Innovation Center blends hands-on research, mentorship and workforce development. You’ll hear how students at four different educational levels are conducting applied research on plant disease management, beneficial microbes and nutrient optimization. From mentoring interns to designing dissertation-level experiments, these students are learning and growing. 🎙 Guests: Dr. Kaylee SouthColin FitePraveen Gajula🔍 Topics Covered: Whether you're an educator, student, grower or just curious about the future of agtech, this episode offers a glimpse into how research, education and industry come together under one greenhouse roof. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

What is it like to be an intern at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research? In this episode of Inside IALR, hear from five of the 18 interns who spent their summer working across IALR’s divisions—from applied research and economic development to manufacturing advancement and GO TEC. You’ll hear from: Grayson SneadDilara SultanovaDaniel OlasokoMoiz FakhriDakotah YoungerThey reflect on what they learned, the real-world impact they made, and how the experience is shaping their future careers. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

What if you could track a plant’s health and growth every 15 minutes, all automatically and without ever touching it? In this episode of Inside IALR, Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, explores the SMART Platform—IALR’s Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table system. These high-tech tables combine robotics, precision imaging and automation to capture tens of thousands of data points per experiment, helping researchers analyze plant growth, stress response and even subtle movements in real time. Learn how the SMART Platforms allow for entire plant life-cycle testing for beneficial microbes and enable real-time monitoring of plant health. You’ll hear about how interns have played a central role in coding and refining the system, how companies can contract research on the tables and how this technology is helping lay the groundwork for more sustainable agriculture. Whether you’re into agtech, robotics, plant biology or data science, this episode connects it all. Plus, you’ll hear how this one-of-a-kind platform is opening doors for students and researchers alike. 🔍 Topics Covered: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

Registered apprenticeships pair paid, hands-on work with classroom lessons to grow dependable talent. In this Inside IALR episode, host Caleb Ayers talks with: Natori NealJenny SpitzerJosh ArnoldJacob OakesThey share insights on: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

In this episode of Inside IALR, host Caleb Ayers talks with Patrick Crowley and Ronald Green, recent graduates from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Listen in as they share: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

In this episode of Inside IALR, we dive deep into the world of metrology, a crucial trade that plays a significant role in national defense manufacturing. The episode features Tony Almeida, Regional Sales Manager at Mitutoyo, and Jarrod Hankins, Metrology Instructor at IALR's Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Metrology is the science of measurement. It ensures that parts are manufactured with incredible precision, often down to microns. Together, they highlight how metrology ensures that parts used in defense manufacturing, particularly in the Navy’s shipbuilding and repair operations, meet the highest standards of quality. Episode Highlights 0:473:096:568:3617:0422:06The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

Let's hear from Randy Johnson, founder of God's Pit Crew, a faith-based disaster relief organization headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and Tracy Fink, Vice President of the IALR Conference Center. God's Pit Crew has transformed from a simple altar prayer into an extensive operation that has responded to over 200 disasters across more than 30 states and 15 countries in their 26-year history. Randy shares the remarkable growth of God's Pit Crew and explains their strategic four-pronged disaster response: delivering essential supplies, providing immediate cleanup and tree removal, rebuilding homes—including an unprecedented commitment of constructing 25 new homes this year for Hurricane Helene victims—and redistributing over $5 million annually in donated goods to local nonprofits within 200 miles of Danville. Tracy highlights the longstanding partnership with IALR and details the annual benefit banquet hosted every year at the IALR Conference Center, which gathers nearly 1,000 supporters and showcases the organization’s profound impact. Highlights include: • Origins and Growth of God's Pit Crew (00:45) • Comprehensive Disaster Response Approach (02:15) • Building Homes and Restoring Lives (07:30) • Local Community Impact (12:20) • Annual Benefit Banquet at IALR Conference Center (16:50) • Volunteer Stories and Community Spirit (20:05) To learn more about volunteering or donating, visit godspitcrew.org. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

Let's hear from Jake Taylor, Technical and Training Manager of the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program managed by IALR. GO TEC is an innovative career initiative providing middle school students across Virginia with engaging, hands-on experiences in technology, manufacturing and engineering careers. Jake shares how GO Tec rapidly expanded from a pilot program in Danville and Pittsylvania County to over 50 middle schools statewide, with further growth anticipated. He explains the strategic approach to maintaining consistency while addressing regional industry differences and details the logistical complexities involved in equipping classrooms, training educators and ensuring continuous program improvement. Highlights include: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

Internships create powerful win-win opportunities for both students and employers when structured properly. IALR's Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Kiana Dillard, explains how these programs build talent pipelines while giving students valuable real-world experience. • Internships provide structured learning opportunities where students develop skills while exploring potential career paths • IALR offers personalized consultation to help businesses create meaningful internship experiences • Successful internship programs require clear goals, meaningful projects, mentorship, structure and paid compensation • Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership provides matching funds covering 50% of costs for businesses with 150 employees or fewer • Success stories include students being hired by their internship employers after demonstrating valuable contributions • Alternative work-based learning programs include teacher externships, STEM camps, career fairs and apprenticeships • Internships don't have to be full-time summer experiences—part-time positions during academic terms can work well Learn more and get connected to resources: https://www.ialr.org/supporting-internships/host-an-intern/ The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

This episode features Daniel Hyler and Tim Holland—two graduates turned additive manufacturing instructors with the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Hear them discuss lessons they picked up along the way, plus real-world applications of additive manufacturing in today’s job market. Listen in as they discuss: Jumping from Student to InstructorThe ‘Light Bulb’ MomentIndustry ReadinessCareer PathwaysThe Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

In this episode of Inside IALR, Value Chain Coordinator Mitchell Doss highlights a new initiative aimed at strengthening Southern Virginia’s local food ecosystem. Funded by a Tobacco Commission grant, Mitchell’s work focuses on helping farmers broaden their reach to new markets while ensuring communities gain greater access to fresh, local produce and products. Hear how Mitchell’s journey—from IALR intern to horticulture researcher—shapes his approach to connecting producers, institutions, and consumers for an economically vibrant and sustainable future. In this episode: For more information on Mitchell’s work and how you can connect, visit IALR.org/valuechain. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

Question: How do you move an active training program with massive, sophisticated equipment into a new facility without halting progress? Answer: An abundance of planning—and the determination to make it happen. In this episode, Senior Facilities Manager Stewart East and Assistant Director of Advanced Training and Operations Wesley Cifers explain: Preparation:Execution:Outcome:Episode highlights include: • Transition to a significant new facility after years in a temporary space • Overview of the Accelerated Training and Defense Manufacturing program • Importance of modern labs and dedicated training spaces • Planning and executing a complex multi-phase move • Coordination with internal staff and external partners • Growth goals of expanding student enrollment • Enhancements in the learning environment and student experience • Recognition of community and team support during the move The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

Industrial fermentation—a core biotechnology process that harnesses living organisms—is a growing discipline used across multiple industries. In this episode of Inside IALR, we recap IALR’s first week-long fermentation workshop, offered in partnership with Virginia Tech and industry experts. Joining the conversation are Dr. Scott Lowman, Ph.D., Vice President of Applied Research at IALR; Biswarup Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., Professor with Virginia Tech's Department of Biochemistry; and Justin Cesmat, Product Line Manager for Bioprocessing at Distek, Inc. They share insights on: Fundamentals of fermentation and its real-world applicationsWorkshop structure, participants, and hands-on trainingInterdisciplinary skills needed for success in fermentationImportance of collaboration between academia and industryPlans for expanding future fermentation training programsThe Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program celebrates its decade of impact in the community. The episode highlights the evolution of the program and its multifaceted approach to address educational gaps in STEM and literacy. This episode features Dana Silicki (Director of STEM, Service, and Lifelong Learning at IALR), Audia Harris (Program Coordinator at IALR), and Adam Goebel (Executive Director of the Danville Science Center), each of whom share their unique perspective on the impact of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program. Episode highlights include: • Overview of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program • The evolution of focus from STEM to include literacy • Recruitment processes and member demographics • AmeriCorps members' roles in classrooms and mentoring • Success stories demonstrating program impact • Future directions for community service and educational efforts • Current recruitment opportunities for interested members The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching. Get updates from IALR on other channels: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Email NewsletterNews Stories