At the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, we connect academia, industry and the public and private sectors through innovative research and collaborative partnerships. Building on a rich history in agriculture—Virginia’s leading private industry—we combine expertise in the life sciences and technology to deliver solutions ranging from analytical chemistry to biotechnology research experiments in our cutting-edge facilities. Our industry-driven approach ensures that we meet both complex research needs and routine testing services, moving industries forward while driving economic transformation in Southern Virginia and beyond.

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Meet Our

Vice President, Applied Research

Scott Lowman, Ph.D.

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Office: 434.766.6628

Controlled Environment Agriculture 

By developing strategic partnerships with both industry and academia, the goal of the Innovation Center is to conduct research and educational programming to develop, promote and advance the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector. CEA helps protect plants from disease and stress while providing ideal growing conditions for high-quality, quick-to-harvest food products.

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Contract Research, Testing and Services

The IALR research team offers robust contract research and testing services that help organizations bring new products to market, optimize processes and ensure quality. From one-time testing to long-term research and development support, we can structure our services to fit client requirements. With a range of in-house expertise—from chemistry to biotechnology, advanced imaging and advanced materials—IALR is an ideal partner for innovation and problem-solving.

Contract Research Services

Analytical Chemistry

With cutting-edge equipment and talented scientists, the research team at IALR provides analytical chemistry services, including methodology development and chemical testing services. Clients include local growers, businesses of all sizes from various industries, and government contracts. We provide analytical services that help clients speed up the decision-making processes and quantify the efficacy of materials or products.

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What We're Up To

03.19.25

Students Discovering Research
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03.04.25

The Power of Hands-On Learning
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02.17.25

Inside IALR Podcast: Building Stronger Local Food Systems
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01.24.25

Industrial Fermentation Workshop Builds Biotech Skills
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Plant Endophyte Research Center

IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center is the first of its kind in the U.S. It leverages private and public partnerships, an elite team of scientists and exclusive equipment and testing services. A library of 2,000 endophytes, or beneficial plant bacteria, show promise as natural biostimulants—reducing chemical fertilizer use and preserving the environment.

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"IALR has provided Canon the environment and expertise to grow plants under various stress conditions, in an effort to understand how these stresses present themselves in the plants. IALR is unique in this capability, which is definitely something that we could not do at our commercial partner’s production facilities."
Ben Welch, Principal Engineer / Canon
"We’re willing to work closely with our clients to develop methodologies and targeted analysis specific to their needs."
Yimeng “Jack” He, Senior Analytical Chemist / IALR
"The IALR Analytical Chemistry Lab provides testing services that give clients the data that they need to move forward. What sets our lab apart is that we provide those services at a high level and a low cost."
Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research / IALR
"In terms of quality control, we are making sure that our products are in good shape for the customer. Jack and the team are helping us to achieve that goal."
Wei Zheng, Lab Technician / Mara Labs
"We have been working with IALR through the many growth stages of our company and could not have asked for better partners along the way. IALR's state of the art facilities and talented scientific team have helped us take our RNA technologies from lab to field."
Ameer Shakeel, Founder, CTO / AgroSpheres
"“The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research has proven to be invaluable to the Town of Altavista by helping to bring about a possible closure to the problem of PCB contamination in our communities’ waste water treatment pond. They are truly an asset to our region.”"
Mike Mattox / Mayor of Altavista
"“The word “opportunity” epitomizes the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. IALR is a place where students, faculty, researchers, and entrepreneurs are actively working together to reach their full potential. IALR provides the ecosystem where discovery, innovation and commercialization is nurtured and celebrated. The leadership of IALR are invested in…"
Dr. Guru Ghosh / Virginia Tech

advanced Robotic Imaging

Some of the world’s most unique and innovative plant imaging technology has been developed here at IALR. The SMART Platform, or the Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table, allows researchers to automatically take thousands of photographs over a plant’s life cycle, collecting data from beginning to end. With a mix of computer and human analysis of these photos, researchers can examine plant growth at every stage of development, allowing for a better understanding of the impact of different variables on plants.

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