A Summer Full of Learning Opportunities
Summer offers a break from school for students, but it also provides an opportunity for students to explore special interests. The Institute provides camp opportunities throughout the year on non-school days including winter and spring breaks.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, researchers have identified summer as a potential danger zone for students because many of them lose ground over the summer in terms of reading and other skills they learned in school. Educators refer to this as “summer learning loss.” Children in low-income communities are especially at risk.
The Institute hosted eight summer STEM camps for 150 youth in kindergarten through ninth grade. Camp topics included Minecraft, forensic science, chemistry, cybersecurity, drones, astronomy, and robotics.
Camp partners included Dan River Year AmeriCorps and the Pittsylvania County and Danville Virginia Cooperative Extension Offices.
Dana Silicki, IALR Program Coordinator, said the camps provided students with exposure to new ideas and careers. “Students were able to explore many different aspects of STEM throughout each camp and realized that STEM opportunities are endless, fun, and suitable for every age.”
Jill Collins explains NSA Day of Cyber challenge to Kaleb Hyler (left) and Alex Smith. NSA Day of Cyber is a free, online program that allows students to experience a day in the life of the nation’s top cybersecurity experts.
AmeriCorps members, Kyla Lipscomb (left) and Morgan Jones, help Brodie Buchanan prepare for the “exploding baggie” science experiment (a chemical reaction using baking soda and vinegar).
Sophie Doss, Jessie Vernon, and Kennedy Pruitt (left to right) use microscopes to investigate the stomata of a plant; a structure on the surface of a leaf that modulates gas exchange between the plant and its environment.
High-Tech Farming
Scientists are halfway through the first year of a two-year Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) grant helping regional growers make farming more profitable by reducing inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, and water) and increasing overall crop health and yields.
“This season’s progress has led to several discoveries for growers in the Southern Virginia region, from confirming suspicions, to diagnostic tools, we’ve all learned a lot about the applications of the technology. Going into the 2018 growing season we plan to use the data and information we’ve gathered to tailor make remote sensing programs for each farm,” said Samantha Smith-Herndon, IALR Research Assistant.
Scientists use the AgBot, a drone with thermal and multispectral cameras, to analyze data from crops throughout Southern Virginia including the counties of Halifax, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, Patrick, Franklin, and Henry.
“This is a very interesting technology. I can look at my vineyard and look at the crop I am growing and see what I need and which areas are working well,” said Rusty Thompson, Owner of Thompson Vineyard in Pittsylvania County.
“The technologies we employ, from drones to hyperspectral cameras, will be commonly used in agricultural production in the future, and IALR is proud to partner with the TRRC to introduce them to the region we serve,” said Senior Scientist Scott Lowman.
Samantha Smith-Herndon operates IALR’s AgBot (drone) with a First Person View display.
A Summer Full of Learning Opportunities
Summer offers a break from school for students, but it also provides an opportunity for students to explore special interests. The Institute provides camp opportunities throughout the year on non-school days including winter and spring breaks.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, researchers have identified summer as a potential danger zone for students because many of them lose ground over the summer in terms of reading and other skills they learned in school. Educators refer to this as “summer learning loss.” Children in low-income communities are especially at risk.
The Institute hosted eight summer STEM camps for 150 youth in kindergarten through ninth grade. Camp topics included Minecraft, forensic science, chemistry, cybersecurity, drones, astronomy, and robotics.
Camp partners included Dan River Year AmeriCorps and the Pittsylvania County and Danville Virginia Cooperative Extension Offices.
Dana Silicki, IALR Program Coordinator, said the camps provided students with exposure to new ideas and careers. “Students were able to explore many different aspects of STEM throughout each camp and realized that STEM opportunities are endless, fun, and suitable for every age.”
Jill Collins explains NSA Day of Cyber challenge to Kaleb Hyler (left) and Alex Smith. NSA Day of Cyber is a free, online program that allows students to experience a day in the life of the nation’s top cybersecurity experts.
AmeriCorps members, Kyla Lipscomb (left) and Morgan Jones, help Brodie Buchanan prepare for the “exploding baggie” science experiment (a chemical reaction using baking soda and vinegar).
Sophie Doss, Jessie Vernon, and Kennedy Pruitt (left to right) use microscopes to investigate the stomata of a plant; a structure on the surface of a leaf that modulates gas exchange between the plant and its environment.
Natural Products & Chemistry
The Institute works to develop analytical methods for analyzing small molecules as well as natural health and nutraceutical products. This is accomplished by using a variety of analytical techniques including UPLCMS and GCMS.
The Institute’s state-of-the-art facility and instruments, coupled with our research team, is capable of serving the regional agricultural, biotech, chemical, pharmaceutical, and natural product industries with a vast array of analytical testing services. Services include Quality Control (QC) testing and QC release, stability studies, method development, and optimization and validation.
Current Projects Include:
- Analyzing chemical and biological samples from various industries using UPLCMSMS and GCMS
- Developing purification and isolation methods for
- natural products
- Extracting molecules produced by endophytes
- Collaborating with university partners
- Supporting industries throughout the region
Using Technology, Science, and the Sky – Precision Agriculture
Thanks to a Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) grant, Institute scientists are showing Southern VA growers how to make farming more profitable by reducing inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, and water) and increasing overall crop health and yields.
Scientists use the AgBot, a drone with thermal and multispectral cameras, to analyze data from 20 regional growers’ crops. Crops include tobacco, grapes (various varieties), soybeans, strawberries, and blueberries. Localities participating in the research include the counties of Patrick, Pittsylvania, Halifax, Franklin, and Mecklenburg and Danville.
A Legacy of Leadership for Southern Virginia
An agreement to serve as the interim executive director for a few months quickly evolved into a permanent position Jerry Gwaltney held for over four years at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Gwaltney has lead the Institute since April 2013 and will retire July 31, 2017.
Gwaltney’s service to the region via the Institute could be considered an opportunity of fate considering Gwaltney was Danville’s City Manager when the Institute was founded. One of the first challenges facing Gwaltney as Danville’s City Manager was to recover from the loss of thousands of jobs when Dan River Mills closed its operation. When Gwaltney took over the helm at the Institute, there were many challenges facing the institution, with an immediate need for the Institute to redefine itself to best serve the region; to create jobs. Gwaltney intimately understood the negative effects of jobs lost in Danville and Southern Virginia and his leadership at the Institute came at a pivotal time for Southern Virginia.
“When I came on board, one of the first things we did as an organization was to review the Code of Virginia and with a laser-like focus redefine our mission,” said Gwaltney.
Under Gwaltney’s leadership, the Institute refocused on the economic transformation of Southern Virginia in the areas of applied research, advanced learning, and workforce development. A few successes under Gwaltney’s leadership include:
- Active research projects in the areas of advanced materials, plant science, precision agriculture, and chemistry taking place throughout the region and the Commonwealth for growers, entrepreneurs, and industry.
- A new addition to the Institute’s capacity to deliver high quality learning opportunities via a 45-foot bus, the Inspiration Lab. The Inspiration Lab alleviates the potential economic burden for rural schools to offer state-of-the-art technology and 3D printing opportunities to students of all ages.
- The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) continues to serve the economic development efforts of the region and in FY 2016 was instrumental in $14.9 million in new economic development opportunities and over 200 new jobs.
- A partnership with Danville Community College, the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining (Capstone) program, is beginning its third year on the campus of IALR and has resulted in two economic development announcements (Overfinch and SGS Kyocera Tech Hub LLC).
Gwaltney’s commitment to job creation is evident by the Institute’s successful leadership in Southern Virginia and the Commonwealth.
“I firmly believe that through our efforts, we have positioned the Institute as a prime force in the region and solidified it for the future,” said Gwaltney.
“Jerry stepped in and provided leadership and strategic direction during a pivotal time at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. He connected the dots between our charter from the state legislature, our mission, and the needs of this community. He helped oversee the development of programs that are not only assets in our economic development toolkit, but provide outstanding opportunities for our region’s residents. He has earned this much deserved second retirement and I wish him well as he spends more time with his family,” said IALR Board of Trustees Chairman Don Merricks.
“I have enjoyed the associations that I have made, the many new things that I have learned, and the many accomplishments that we have all achieved working together,” said Gwaltney.
The Board of Trustees appointed IALR’s Director of Research, Mark Gignac, to serve as the Interim Executive Director effective August 1, 2017. The Board also appointed a search committee to begin the Institute’s search for a new director.
Governor Terry McAuliffe joins Jerry Gwaltney for the recent unveiling of the Institute’s Inspiration Lab.
US Senator Mark Warner tours the Institute and the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining in November 2015. The Gene Haas Center is a partnership between the Institute and Danville Community College.
Jerry Gwaltney congratulates the 2017 graduates of the Academy for Engineering and Technology at their breakfast in May.
US Senator Tim Kaine joins Gwaltney for a tour of the Institute’s campus in April 2017.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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