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Growing Our Own

Growing Our Own

The Institute continues to build the region’s workforce capacity by providing eight paid summer internship opportunities to current students and recent graduates. The internships are four or eight week opportunities to work directly with Institute staff in the areas of research, finance, and economic development funded by the IALR Foundation. 

Alana Baker recently received her PhD from East Carolina University and is working with Linda Green (SVRA). Daniel Caccavelli is an Averett University graduate and is studying SMART tables under the direction of Dr. Lowman. Zach Taylor is currently enrolled in a Master’s program at Virginia Tech and is studying the characterization of endophytes with Dr. Mei. Alexander Pradhanis a student at the University of Virginia and is working with Dr. Da. Blake Adkins is a student at Virginia Tech and working with Dr. Lowman. Ariana Colon-Sifre and Hammad Nasir are both AET students and working with Dr. Lowman to further study the applications of our SMART tables. Angelica Orlikowski is an Averett University student and is working with Pat Chatt in the Finance Department.

“Internships provide critical work-based learning experiences for young adults. Not only will they learn technical skills, they will develop the essential skills required in any profession. IALR and the IALR Foundation are pleased to offer these opportunities,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Director of Advanced Learning. 

First row (left to right): Blake Adkins, Daniel Caccavelli, Alana Baker, Ariana Colon-Sifre; Back row: Hammad Nasir, Zach Taylor, and Alexander Pradhan Not Pictured: Angelica Orlikowski

Successful Family STEM Night at the Institute

Successful Family STEM Night at the Institute

Photo 1:  Brian Buchanan, Danville Science Center Education Coordinator, explains how planets in our solar system orbit the sun.

Photo 2:  Family STEM Night featured fun STEM-themed activities for children, adults, and community groups including the Danville Science Center and Danville Public Library.

 

Photo 3:  Dan River Year AmeriCorps Member, Caitlin Hutcherson, helps a budding scientist pour iron oxide powder; one of the ingredients used to make magnetic slime!

 

Institute Scientist Receives Virginia Tech Honors

Institute Scientist Receives Virginia Tech Honors

Senior Scientist Scott Lowman received the 2017 Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumni Award from the Department of Horticulture in Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The award recognizes alumni contributions in the areas of leadership, service, and philanthropy to the community and/or college demonstrating Virginia Tech’s motto Ut Prosim (That I may serve). 

Since 2003, Lowman has volunteered at Lynchburg Grows, a non-profit urban farm in Lynchburg. The non-profit focuses on providing healthy food to the community and employment opportunities for people with special needs. Lowman spearheaded the effort to resurrect the once-abandoned greenhouses and property that Lynchburg Grows now calls home. 

At the Institute, Lowman’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture by using biology and technology to increase agricultural yields while reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Lowman has lead multiple efforts focused on precision agriculture including providing regional growers with essential data regarding their crops with the use of an AgBot (drone) and utilizing SMART tables to evaluate plants during their initial growth stages. Lowman also co-created a library of beneficial bacterial endophytes to research their potential applications in agriculture.

“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized as an outstanding recent graduate alumnus by the Department of Horticulture and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This award truly belongs to the great people who helped me along the way as well as the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research for providing me the opportunity to grow and thrive,” said Lowman.

 PHOTO: Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture Professor and Department Head Roger Harris (left) and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Allen Grant (right) present Scott Lowman with his award. 

Solution Finders – Cucumber Grafting

Solution Finders – Cucumber Grafting

IALR scientists are collaborating with regional growers to increase their revenue by working with them to graft English cucumbers. IALR scientists are seeing a 200% increase in yield for the grafted English cucumbers in greenhouse tests.

Students Shadow Scientists at the Institute

Students Shadow Scientists at the Institute

Sacred Heart Catholic School students visited the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research as part of an annual job shadowing day program.  The three students, Jesse Anderson, Caroline Woods, and Sydney Stone, are all in the eighth grade.  

 Photo 1: Sacred Heart students Jesse Anderson, Caroline Woods, and Sydney Stone (left to right) interview Research Associate Robert Chretien about the qualities of being a scientist.

 

Photo 2: Senior Scientist Chuansheng Mei, PhD, shows Sydney Stone, Jesse Anderson, and Caroline Woods (left to right) how to test nitrogen fixing ability of bacterial endophytes by growing bacteria in a nitrogen-free medium.

 

 Photo 3: Sydney Stone and Caroline Woods view a petri dish containing antibacterial assay for plant endophyte bacteria.

Asian Pear Research Testimonials

Asian Pear Research Testimonials

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has concluded one year of research with impressive results for participating Asian pear growers. The research is funded by a two-year Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) grant to study tree pruning methodology and fruit bagging techniques in Virginia Asian pear orchards to improve Asian pear yield and quality, and to develop a standard Asian pear training, pruning, and bagging system for Virginia farmers.

Solution Finders – SMART Tables

Solution Finders – SMART Tables

Scientists at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) designed and built two SMART tables in 2014.  SMART tables use precision robotics and technology to record and analyze plant growth in a variety of conditions.

IALR’s research department focuses on applied research projects that have the potential to solve problems currently experienced by regional growers, entrepreneurs, and existing industry. In addition to designing solutions, IALR scientists are also working on a variety of projects that could have a beneficial impact on the region through new produce to grow.

Anyone interested in touring IALR’s research labs or learning more about how we are using SMART tables should call 434-766-6700.