Inside IALR

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Internship: Stories from IALR’s Summer Interns Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

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 Snead, an ag tech intern researching bacterial endophytes in broccoli microgreens
Dilara Sultanova, a data-savvy Empower intern building automation tools and career resources
Daniel Olasoko and Moiz Fakhri, who worked with machine learning models to support student success in the ATDM program
Dakotah Younger, who helped train teachers and guide students through hands-on technology with the GO TEC team

They 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:

Tracking Plant Growth Pixel by Pixel Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

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:

What makes SMART Platforms unique
How 80,000+ images become meaningful plant health data
Intern-driven innovation in Python and computer vision
Industry collaboration and commercialization opportunities
The future of AI in agriculture and early stress detection

Registered Apprenticeship Best Practices and Lessons Learned Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

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 Neal – Apprenticeship Coordinator, IALR’s EXTRA program
Jenny Spitzer – Co-owner, Spitzer Inc. (electrical contractors)
Josh Arnold – Master Electrician and lead instructor at Spitzer
Jacob Oakes – Second-year electrical apprentice

They share insights on:

How a registered apprenticeship is structured, from day-one wages to a journeyman credential
Building curriculum around the employer’s real work
Why covering tuition and books helps apprentices focus and stay
Choosing the right mentors
Starting with small cohorts to emphasize quality over head-count
Utilizing the free support from IALR’s EXTRA program for designing, funding and sustaining apprenticeship programs

The Life-Changing Impact of a Four-Month Training Program May 19, 2025

Show notes

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:

Patrick’s transition from logistics to CNC machining for more impactful work.
Ron’s journey from entrepreneurship in fashion to welding for career stability.
Their intense and rewarding four-month ATDM training experience.
How they overcame challenges and built camaraderie with classmates.
The promising career opportunities awaiting them post-graduation.

Measuring Down to the Micron: How Metrology Supports National Defense May 05, 2025

Show notes

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

0:47 - What is metrology, and how is it used in manufacturing?
3:09 - The role of IALR’s precision metrology lab in supporting the Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center
6:56 - Key metrology tools, from calipers to 3D laser scanning
8:36 - Inside the precision metrology lab: The significance of the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
17:04 - The importance of calibration and ensuring precision in every tool
22:06 - How metrology helps support the national defense industrial base

Restoring Hope: the Mission of God's Pit Crew Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

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.

Career Exploration in 73 Middle Schools Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

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:

What is GO TEC? (00:36)
Rapid statewide growth (01:42)
Hands-on career exploration (04:00)
Partnering across Virginia (05:43)
Supporting teachers and classrooms (14:38)
Bridging the high school gap (23:54)
STEM Innovator of the Year Award (27:00)

Internship Support for Southern Virginia Employers Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

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/

From Trainees to Trainers: The ATDM Additive Journey Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

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 Instructor: How they found their calling in the classroom.
The ‘Light Bulb’ Moment: Why watching a student finally “get it” is so rewarding.
Industry Readiness: Helping companies embrace the possibilities of 3D printing.
Career Pathways: Creating your own opportunities in an evolving field.

Building Stronger Local Food Systems Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

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:

What a Value Chain Coordinator does
The importance of robust local food networks for economic growth
Current gaps and opportunities in Southern Virginia’s food system
Strategies for driving collaboration between farmers, buyers and communities
Details on upcoming workshops and opportunities to get involved

For more information on Mitchell’s work and how you can connect, visit IALR.org/valuechain.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected