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Inside IALR Podcast: Tracking Plant Growth Pixel by Pixel

Inside IALR Podcast: Tracking Plant Growth Pixel by Pixel

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

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Industrial Fermentation Workshop Builds Biotech Skills

Industrial Fermentation Workshop Builds Biotech Skills

Industrial fermentation, the large-scale use of microorganisms to create valuable products, powers a broad range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to food production. To teach the fundamentals of fermentation to entry-level professionals and students, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) hosted the VT IALR Industrial Fermentation Workshop Builds Skills on Jan. 13-17.

Co-taught by Dr. Scott Lowman (Vice President of Applied Research at IALR), Dr. Biswarup Mukhopadhyay (Professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Biochemistry) and industry experts, this five-day, hands-on workshop served participants ranging from community college students to seasoned professionals seeking new skills.

  

The result was a blend of classroom instruction, laboratory experiments and real-world insights into scaling up microbial processes.

“We’re so thrilled to host the workshop here at IALR. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to bring academic experts and industry together for a hands-on, fast-paced introduction to industrial fermentation.” – Scott Lowman, Ph.D., Vice President, Applied Research, IALR

Interdisciplinary Focus on Scale-Up

Biswarup Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., Professor, Virginia Tech Department of Biochemistry

Fermentation processes draw on microbiology, chemical engineering and more—disciplines that must align for the successful development of commercial-scale products. Participants explored how small-scale lab work translates to large industrial fermenters and bioreactors.

“A student might develop a process in the lab on a Petri plate or in a small flask. When it scales up, sometimes it doesn’t work the same way. Part of this workshop is learning what precautions to take early on so the process will translate well to a larger reactor.” – Biswarup Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., Professor, Virginia Tech Department of Biochemistry

Hands-On Learning with Cutting-Edge Equipment 

Participants spent significant time operating bench-scale bioreactors, adjusting variables like temperature and pH and collecting real time data. Industry partner Distek Inc. provided some equipment for students to practice what they learned.  

“Many training courses focus a lot on theory and lectures, which is great. You get foundational knowledge that way, but solidifying it and running the systems with microbes drives home those concepts we learned in the lecture. The ability to go back and forth between the two sets these students up for understanding how the industry works, not only from a conceptual side but when they run the small-scale bioreactors.” – Justin Cesmat, Product Line Manager, Distek

Justin Cesmat, Product Line Manager, Distek

Participant Perspectives

Attendees ranged from undergraduate students aiming to break into biotech to seasoned professionals exploring new skills. They praised the workshop’s focus on real-world applications and its clarity for potential career paths.

“The workshop was wonderful. Now I have a better perspective on industry and what it takes to get from education into the field.” – Skyler Gentry, Biotechnology Student, Virginia Western Community College

Skyler Gentry, Biotechnology Student, Virginia Western Community College

“It’s been a comfortable learning experience. I think this is a great starting point for fermentation training. This is a good skill for any scientist to have.” – Udipta Bihari, Student, Virginia Tech

“This workshop has been good to teach. We have people who have never worked with fermenters and those in the field who are looking to commercialize from industry, and then students who are learning how things they’ve been doing on a small scale could be brought into their future careers as they think about how to commercialize something they’re learning in the lab.” – Zach Baer, Ph.D., Fermentation Specialist, IFF

Looking Ahead

With the successful conclusion of this inaugural workshop, IALR plans to expand this type of collaborative training offerings in fermentation and other biotech-related areas. Organizations seeking to enroll employees or learn more about future training sessions can contact the Applied Research team for details.

About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

IALR Scientists Showcase Biologicals Research at National Congress

IALR Scientists Showcase Biologicals Research at National Congress

Two scientists from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) presented research at the 11th Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress and the 8th Partnerships in Biocontrol, Biostimulants & Microbiome Congress held in Raleigh, N.C. Dr. Chuansheng Mei and Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa showcased posters highlighting the results of their research into the effects of biostimulants and biocontrol agents on hydroponic lettuce and cucumber production, respectively.

Dr. Amaradasa’s poster was selected as a winner in the poster competition, and he was then invited to present it during the congress.

Dr. Amaradasa showcased his work on “Biological Control of Pythium in Cucumber and Hydroponic Lettuce by Endophytic Pseudomonas Strain IALR1619.” Pythium is a persistent pathogen affecting cucumber and lettuce in indoor agriculture. Dr. Amaradasa’s study, published in PLOS ONE, found that treating these crops with a naturally occurring biocontrol agent improved plant survival rates and increased overall yield.

“Biocontrol agents offer a powerful alternative to chemical fungicides,” said Dr. Amaradasa. “Our work demonstrates that we can maintain effective disease control while minimizing ecological impact, which is essential for sustainable agriculture.”

Dr. Mei presented his research titled “Effects of Beneficial Bacterial Endophytes on Growth of Lettuce Plants, Transcriptome and Root Microbiome in Hydroponic Systems.” His findings, developed through a three-year collaboration with Virginia Tech and Appalachian State University, demonstrate how introducing a naturally occurring biostimulant can boost lettuce yield by 15-20% and significantly enhance root development.

“Our research is focused on providing growers with natural, effective tools to boost plant productivity,” said Dr. Mei. “The results show real promise for expanding sustainable food production in hydroponic systems, which is crucial as we look for ways to feed a growing population.”

The Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress focused on advancements in plant genomics and gene editing, with case studies on enhancing disease resistance and stress tolerance in critical crops. The congress also covered computational phenotyping, bioinformatics integration and the potential of artificial intelligence in plant research.

The 8th Partnerships in Biocontrol, Biostimulants & Microbiome Congress examined the development of agricultural biopesticides and biostimulants, focusing on plant microbiomes and their role in improving crop yield and stress tolerance. The event featured discussions on symbiotic plant-microbe relationships and regulatory updates for biological products.

The event provided a platform for IALR’s Applied Research team to share their cutting-edge work at the intersection of technology and agriculture, demonstrating how endophytes and other beneficial microorganisms can enhance productivity and sustainability.

“Our mission at IALR is to drive economic transformation, and our research team does that by meeting the needs of industry and producers,” said Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research. “We are committed to providing unique services and sustainable solutions in biotechnology, controlled environment agriculture and analytical chemistry.”

Third Annual CEA Summit East Sparks Innovation and Collaboration in Virginia

Third Annual CEA Summit East Sparks Innovation and Collaboration in Virginia

Building on the success of previous years, the third annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East returned to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center in Danville, VA, from October 1-2, 2024. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center—a joint project with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IALR and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center —the event attracted 230+ attendees from 35 US states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. The diverse audience of growers, educators, scientists, Extension personnel, suppliers, tech specialists, and government leaders gathered to explore the latest advancements in CEA technology and build valuable partnerships.

The two-day event featured a packed agenda of keynote presentations, panels, breakout sessions, and tours of the CEA Innovation Center facilities. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with 21 tabletop exhibits showcasing cutting-edge innovations and services shaping the future of CEA. Alongside these sessions, a range of networking opportunities fostered new connections and strengthened existing partnerships.

“We’re proud to see the CEA Summit East improve year after year. The diversity of expertise represented here is impressive, and it’s a testament to the collaborative nature of this growing sector.” – Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con

“It’s inspiring to see leaders across the CEA spectrum come together to exchange ideas and strategies that drive our industry forward. This event underscores the importance of partnerships and shared knowledge in achieving the growth and success we envision for CEA.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

Morning Kick-Off Keynotes 

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a steadfast supporter of the indoor agriculture sector, kicked off the event with the opening morning keynote address. His session was immediately followed by the session, “What Is CEA: It’s Mission, Definition and Purpose,” with Paul Brentlinger, CEO, CropKing, Inc.; Jessica Soare, Senior Director of Marketing, BrightFarms; Mike Ross, Co-Founder & CEO, Beanstalk; and Dr. Michael Evans, Virginia Tech and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center. On the second day, the Leadership Insights Panel welcomed Carl Gupton, CEO, Greenswell Growers; John McMahon, Co-Founder & COO, Better Future Farms; Molly Montgomery, Acting CEO Executive Chair, AeroFarms and moderator Emily Gee, CEA Alliance Board Member and Marketing Director, AeroFarms, to the stage,

Educational Tracks

The CEA Summit featured three educational tracks – Production, Business and Education, Workforce and Training– that brought academics, growers and business experts together covering a wide range of topics ranging from food safety, economics of CEA, crop selection and aquaponics to strategies for energy management, onboarding training programs for new employees, and building international partnerships. Other panel discussions and 15-minute CEA Industry & Research Showcase sessions gave attendees the chance to hear about some of the latest research findings and other industry success stories.

Tabletop Exhibits & Networking

In addition to conference sessions, attendees had ample opportunities to visit with the Summit’s 21 tabletop exhibitors during coffee breaks, luncheon roundtables and an afternoon cocktail reception.

Graduate Student Poster Competition

This year’s summit hosted the 2nd CEA Graduate Student Poster Competition to provide an opportunity for graduate students to share high-quality CEA-related research; to expose commercial companies to qualified candidates; and to foster collaboration between individuals in academia and in private industry. Eight finalists competed, and Liam Reynolds, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, took first prize for his poster, “Evaluation of Radish, Broccoli, and Lettuce Microgreens Irrigated with Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase.” Nathaniel King-Smith, The Ohio State University, was awarded second place for his poster, “Exploring Sustainable Alternatives for Critical Materials: Hydroponic Cultivation of Rubber Dandelion (T.kok-saghyz) for Rubber Production.”

The next edition of CEA Summit East will be held September 9-10, 2025. Look for more information coming soon to the event website – www.ceasummit.com. In addition, save the dates for the next edition of Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, 2025 at the Westgate Las Vegas.

CEA Summit East 2024

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. 

About Indoor Ag-Con

ABOUT THE CEA INNOVATION CENTER

The Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project with Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IALR’s Applied Research division and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. 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 CEA sector in the U.S. and internationally. 

About the CEA Innovation Center

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to Deliver Opening Keynote Address At CEA Summit East

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to Deliver Opening Keynote Address At CEA Summit East

Indoor Ag-Con and the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center – a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech – are pleased to announce that Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will deliver the opening keynote address at the CEA Summit East, taking place in Danville, Virginia, on October 1-2, 2024. Governor Youngkin’s keynote will kick off the summit on the morning of October 1st, setting the stage for two days of dynamic discussions, research showcases, tabletop exhibits and collaboration within the indoor agriculture industry.

Governor Youngkin has been a steadfast supporter of the indoor agriculture industry, advocating for the combination of state investment, new technology, and company development to create a thriving ecosystem in Virginia. His commitment to fostering an environment that supports safe, sustainable, and locally grown food makes him an ideal keynote speaker for this year’s summit.

“We are thrilled to have Governor Glenn Youngkin open our conference with his keynote address. Governor Youngkin’s leadership has positioned Virginia as a premier hub for controlled environment agriculture. His efforts to drive economic growth through strategic investments and partnerships have made the Commonwealth a model for the future of indoor farming.” – Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con

Under Governor Youngkin’s administration, Virginia has seen significant economic development in the CEA sector, bolstered by its strategic access to domestic markets, plentiful resources, skilled workforce, and a network of robust public and private partnerships. These achievements have not only reinforced Virginia’s role as a leader in next-generation agriculture but have also paved the way for continued innovation and expansion within the industry.

“Governor Youngkin’s vision for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future aligns perfectly with the goals of the CEA Summit East. His support for the indoor agriculture industry and his dedication to creating opportunities for growth and development make him an inspiring figure for all of us working in this space.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, VP of Applied Research, IALR and Co-Director, CEA Innovation Center

Governor Youngkin’s journey from humble beginnings to co-CEO of a leading global investment firm, and now as a transformative political leader, exemplifies his dedication to hard work and common-sense solutions. His tenure as Governor has been marked by substantial achievements, including the largest education budget in Virginia’s history and numerous economic investments that have spurred job growth and opportunity across the state.

About CEA Summit East 

Returning for its third year, the CEA Summit East will be held from October 1-2, 2024, at the IALR Conference Center in Danville, Virginia. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con, the premier trade show and conference for the vertical farming, greenhouse, and CEA sector, and the Virginia Tech (VT) – IALR CEA Innovation Center, this summit continues to be a key event for industry collaboration and innovation, featuring two days of tabletop exhibits, networking and conference programming.

Building on the success of its 2023 edition, which drew participants from 33 U.S. states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the CEA Summit East 2024 is expected to once again unite professionals from academia, business, and technology within the CEA industry. Attendees will include greenhouse growers, urban agriculture operations, vertical farms, outdoor growers exploring hybrid opportunities, educators, scientists, extension personnel and agents, suppliers, engineers, tech specialists, architects/developers, government officials, and other industry members.

CEA Summit East Website

About Indoor Ag-Con

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops.

Indoor Ag-Con Website

About the CEA Innovation Center

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center is a joint project between IALR and Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. By developing strategic partnerships with both industry and academia, the goal of the CEA Innovation Center is to conduct research and educational programming to develop, promote and advance the CEA sector in the U.S. and internationally.

CEA Innovation Center 

Industrial Fermentation: Supporting a Growing Industry

Industrial Fermentation: Supporting a Growing Industry

At its basic level, fermentation is a biological process in which microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, are used to create a product of value. The products are then harvested, packaged and sold.

Fermentation has been around for centuries and is commonly known for the creation of food and beverage products like wine and cheese. Modern biotechnology is changing this, and products can range from renewable plastics, fuels, food and much more. While the term fermentation scientifically refers to anaerobic processes, it is used broadly in industry, covering all large-scale industrial microbiological processes and supported by the disciplines of industrial microbiology, fermentation technology and biochemical engineering.

In a laboratory setting, these processes can be conducted in small flasks. With the right technology and expertise, however, they can be executed on an industrial scale to produce various products.

The Applied Research team at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is leading and hosting a five-day, hands-on workshop (Jan. 13-17) on the science, technology and engineering of fermentation. Designed for entry-level workers in the biotechnology industry, this workshop will be co-taught by Dr. Scott Lowman (IALR’s Vice President of Applied Research) and Dr. Biswarup Mukhopadhyay (a Professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Biochemistry) through a partnership with the Biochemistry Department in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The workshop will feature invited instructors from industry.

“This workshop, and our growing work in the industrial fermentation space, reflects IALR’s commitment to facilitating industry-driven, collaborative workforce development programs for the careers of today and tomorrow.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

What Is Industrial Fermentation?

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms, cells and biological processes to develop products and technologies for various applications. Healthcare, agriculture and environmental management are a few industries that utilize biotechnology processes.

Fermentation is a fundamental process in biotechnology. It uses microorganisms’ metabolic activities to produce different products.

In short, biotechnology harnesses biological systems and organisms to develop or create products, and fermentation is a crucial technique within this field.

“Industrial fermentation is a mixture of microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering and fermentation technology. All of these are involved. This is highly interdisciplinary. It’s both science and engineering together.” – Dr. Biswarup Mukhopadhyay, Professor, Virginia Tech Department of Biochemistry

Industrial fermentation processes are used in many different industries, including:

  • Pharmaceuticals: Fermentation produces many antibiotics, vaccines and therapeutic proteins.
  • Food and Beverages: Fermentation processes are used to produce alcoholic beverages like beer and wine and foods like yogurt and cheese.
  • Agricultural Products: Fermentation processes are used in the development of agricultural products, including biostimulants, biopesticides and biofertilizers. The Plant Endophyte Research Center at IALR studies how these naturally occurring biostimulants and biocontrol agents can lead to more sustainable agriculture.

Preparing the Workforce

IALR is committed to supporting and managing programs that equip the workforce with the skills and certifications for successful work. Just some of the many collaborative efforts include a systematic work-based learning framework, hands-on career introductions for Virginia middle schoolers, and accelerated training for adults looking to start a career in the advanced manufacturing sector.

IALR’s Vice President of Applied Research, Dr. Scott Lowman, has been exploring options to provide fermentation training for years.

“We wanted to partner to provide training and opportunities to people who may want to change careers or get into the biotech industry at a technician level.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

This five-day workshop will introduce microbiology and engineering aspects of industrial microbial cultures, also known as fermentation, emphasizing technology development and scale-up.

Invited lecturers from industry include: 

Participants will generate, analyze and discuss their own data in a group setting.

The workshop will include:

  • Anaerobic systems relevant to industry focused on human and animal gut microbiome and biofuel
  • Theoretical lectures alternating with practical experiments
  • Lessons relating to the day-to-day operation of a fermentation plant

“This class is focused on how to take a small-scale process that has been developed in the lab and take it into the production stage,” Dr. Mukhopadhyay said.

Companies interested in having employees participate in this workshop should contact Dr. Scott Lowman.

Dr. Lowman and Dr. Mukhopadhyay plan to make this a recurring workshop. And offering occasional workshops is not the end of the support that IALR will provide for the growth of industrial fermentation and the biotechnology industry as a whole.

“It’s an industry we could support beyond just workforce training, but we’re entering it through the workforce training opportunity. As we work with these companies, we may be able to support them with research services as well.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

Inside IALR Podcast: Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture

Inside IALR Podcast: Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture

The Plant Endophyte Research Center at IALR is focused on the use of naturally occurring plant bacteria to help with plant growth promotion and stress response. This is biotechnology in action.

This episode features three of the scientists who run the Plant Endophyte Research: Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research; Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist; and Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Senior Scientist.

  • Defining biotechnology (01:16)
  • The research focus of the Plant Endophyte Research Center (03:31)
  • IALR’s role in the biotechnology industry (07:49)
  • Biotechnology collaboration with partners (12:41)
  • Primary industries where biotechnology is used (15:10)
  • The goal of the Plant Endophyte Research Center in the next five years (21:41)

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Enhancing Spinach Yields with Beneficial Bacteria

Enhancing Spinach Yields with Beneficial Bacteria

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is proud to announce a new study that explores the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria to significantly boost spinach yields in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The article was published in Technology in Horticulture on July 2, 2024.

This research is another example of how bacterial endophytes – naturally occurring biostimulants found in plants – can enhance plant growth, improve nutrient uptake and increase stress tolerance, particularly in CEA.

The Study

IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center has a library of more than 2,000 characterized bacterial endophytes. The researchers in this study tested two of those strains – officially known as Pseudomonas psychrotolerans IALR632 and Enterobacter asburiae IALR1379 – on two spinach cultivars, ‘Red Snapper’ and ‘Seaside.’

These experiments were conducted in indoor vertical nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic systems in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, a partnership of IALR and Virginia Tech.

The study revealed that inoculations of these bacteria significantly increased the shoot fresh weight, root growth and leaf greenness of the spinach plants.

Read the Full Study

Key Findings

  • Increased Yields: Inoculations of IALR632 and IALR1379 significantly increased the shoot fresh weight of ‘Red Snapper’ by 19.3% and 13.3%, and ‘Seaside’ by 17.8% and 14.1%, respectively, compared to control treatments.
  • Enhanced Root Growth: Both bacterial inoculations improved root growth in ‘Red Snapper’, although ‘Seaside’ did not show similar results.
  • Improved Leaf Greenness: IALR632 significantly increased leaf greenness in both spinach cultivars while IALR1379 did not.
  • Effective Colonization: Both bacterial strains successfully colonized the roots and shoots of the spinach plants, confirming their endophytic property.

Overall, IALR632 proved more effective in enhancing spinach yields, root growth and leaf greenness compared to IALR1379 in indoor vertical hydroponic systems.

Significance

The Plant Endophyte Research Center and the CEA Innovation Center are focused on optimizing crop production while minimizing environmental impact. And this is not the first research publication from IALR showing the efficacy of bacterial endophytes in improving plant growth and yields.

The research team has consistently shown that endophytes – which function as natural biostimulants and biocontrol agents – can dramatically and positively affect plants in indoor hydroponic environments.

Other recent findings include:

The Research Team

This research was conducted by a joint team from IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center and the CEA Innovation Center:

  • Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist, IALR
  • Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research, IALR
  • Dr. Michael Evans, Professor at the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center
  • Robert Chretien, Laboratory Research Associate, IALR
  • Dr. Dongfang Zhou, a former Research Associate with Virginia Tech at the CEA Innovation Center
  • Dr. Kaylee South, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture
An IALR Career Path: From Two-Time Intern to Employee

An IALR Career Path: From Two-Time Intern to Employee

Mitchell Doss recently joined the IALR Applied Research team in a new full-time position as Value Chain Coordinator. In this role, Doss will be responsible for developing regional systems for aggregating, storing and distributing agricultural products to build capacity within the agricultural industry and allow small producers to access new markets.

Doss started the position in July 2024, but his involvement with IALR goes back nearly a decade.

From Gretna, Doss participated in one of the first cohorts of the Academy for Engineering and Technology (AET) – a dual-enrollment, STEM-focused program for students in Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools, supported by IALR and Danville Community College.

While still in the AET program, Doss completed his first summer internship with IALR – working with Dr. Scott Lowman – a Ph.D. candidate at the time who now serves as IALR’s Vice President of Applied Research – on an early iteration of the Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table (SMART) Platform. These platforms use automation, precision and technology to track the growth of dozens of plants over a growth cycle. Most of Doss’ work that summer involved setting up experiments and maintaining plants.

Doss went on to Randolph College, majoring in Environmental Sciences with a double minor in engineering and data science – a combination that equipped him to continue working with IALR’s Applied Research division.

In 2019, Doss participated in IALR’s summer internship program again, this time as a college student. While working with a former drone program that used aerial photography for crop and field analysis, Doss flexed – and continued to develop – skills in data analysis and imaging technologies, which he would continue to use with IALR.

“Those internships helped me realize that I really wanted to be in the STEM field,” Doss said.

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, Doss returned to IALR to work with the SMART platform, but this time as a graduate research assistant employed with Virginia Tech. He conducted numerous experiments and supervised a cohort of interns every summer to improve the technology and capabilities of the SMART technology.

“Much of our work at IALR focuses on developing career pathways for emerging workers across Southern Virginia in support of strategic industry sectors. Mitchell’s career progression is a great example of the ‘student-to-intern-to-employee’ pathway IALR is able to support within our own organization and in partnership with the region’s education institutions and business community.” – Dr. Julie Brown, IALR, Vice President, Advanced Learning

He also provided occasional support for the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center and for the Plant Endophyte Research Center, even serving as a co-author on a few articles.

“With his combined expertise in plant sciences and technology, Mitchell embodies the essence of what our Applied Research division is all about.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, IALR, Vice President, Applied Research

Doss is in the final stages of his master’s degree and will defend his thesis in the fall. In the meantime, he decided to continue working at IALR, this time in the new role of Value Chain Coordinator. Doss will be focused on developing a regional food system, which will lead to more regional agricultural jobs and economic activity.

“I am thrilled that I get to continue working with IALR, and I am excited to see the impact that I can make in this role.” – Mitchell Doss, Value Chain Coordinator, former intern

CEA Summit East to return to IALR October 1-2

CEA Summit East to return to IALR October 1-2

CEA Summit Brings Academia and Greenhouse, Vertical Farm, Urban Ag, Other CEA Business Sectors Together To Spur Industry Collaboration, Innovation

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East returns to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center in Danville, Virginia from October 1-2, 2024. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con, the leading trade show and conference for the vertical farming | greenhouse | CEA sector, and the Virginia Tech (VT)-IALR CEA Innovation Center, a joint project of the IALR and Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center, the summit continues to serve as a premier platform for industry collaboration and innovation.

Building on the success of its 2023 edition, which attracted attendees from 33 US states, Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden, the 3rd Annual CEA Summit East is set to unite professionals once again from academia, business, and technology within the CEA industry. Attendees include greenhouse growers, urban agriculture operations, vertical farms, outdoor growers seeking hybrid growing opportunities, educators, scientists, Virginia Cooperative Extension personnel, suppliers, engineers, tech specialists, architects/developers, government officials, and other industry members.

“Our partnership with the VT-IALR CEA Innovation Center underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where industry leaders and academia come together to drive innovation and explore new opportunities within the CEA sector.” – Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con

CEA Summit East 2023

With a focus on facilitating meaningful connections and knowledge exchange, the summit will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking/breakout sessions, and tabletop exhibits highlighting the latest advancements in CEA technology and practices. Attendees can also look forward to research facility tours, providing firsthand insights into cutting-edge research and development initiatives.

“The CEA Summit serves as a platform for showcasing the collaborative efforts between industry and academia in advancing CEA research and education,” adds Dr. Scott Lowman, Co-Director of the VT-IALR CEA Innovation Center and Vice President of Applied Research at IALR. “We are eager to continue driving the momentum of the CEA industry and providing attendees with valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and growth.”

For more information on the 3rd Annual CEA Summit East, including registration, speaking and exhibit opportunities, visit the event website at www.ceasummit.com.

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse |controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. More information, visit www.indoor.ag.

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA TECH – CEA INNOVATION CENTER

The Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between IALR and Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. 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 CEA sector in the U.S. and internationally. More information – www.ialr.org/cea

College Students Working in the CEA Innovation Center

College Students Working in the CEA Innovation Center

“My favorite part has been seeing the progress of the plants daily. Watching them start as little seeds and then grow into some pretty big plants is very cool.” – Jacob Haymore, Undergraduate Research Technician with the CEA Innovation Center

Working part-time as Undergraduate Research Technicians in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, Jacob Haymore and Cameron Dallas have gained valuable experience and supported vital research projects.

A joint project between Virginia Tech and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), the CEA Innovation Center is an agricultural technology training center, research hub and demonstration site that connects academia, industry and producers to move the CEA industry forward. The Innovation Center is housed primarily within a modern greenhouse complex on IALR’s campus.

“Bringing students into this ecosystem for impactful employment opportunities fits the mission of the CEA Innovation Center and will contribute to the growth of the CEA workforce.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center

Haymore’s position is funded through an internal Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences grant focused on hydroponic herb production. A 2022 Chatham High School graduate on the verge of completing his associate degree in liberal arts from Danville Community College, Haymore did not have much experience working with plants. A family friend told him about the position, and he applied. He started in December 2023 and plans to continue working in the CEA Innovation Center through the summer.

Jacob Haymore, a Danville Community College student working as an Undergraduate Research Technician in the CEA Innovation Center.

“The idea of working in a greenhouse was interesting to me,” Haymore said. “I like that I’m not stuck in an office. I get to be hands-on and active.”

As a kid, Dallas learned about agriculture while helping on his grandmother’s farm. A current accounting student at Averett University hoping to pursue a real estate career, Dallas found the CEA position through Averett’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness. Dallas started working in the CEA Innovation Center in September and will conclude his term upon graduation. Dallas’s position is funded through the Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and focuses on vertical farm and greenhouse projects and greenhouse management tasks.

“I felt like something was missing,” Dallas said. “I was doing the typical senior stuff. This turned out to be a great opportunity for me.”

Cameron Dallas, an Averett University student working as an Undergraduate Research Technician in the CEA Innovation Center.

Dallas and Haymore are supporting research experiments on irrigation rates in microgreens, fertilizer rates for dill and fennel, and several projects on the SMART Tables. Some of their daily tasks include data collection, seed sowing, irrigation, treatment application, data entry and monitoring and adjusting electrical conductivity and pH levels in the hydroponic systems.

“I definitely think this experience will help me in my career, whatever direction I take,” Dallas said.

The students have worked with the entire research team at IALR but primarily report to Dr. Kaylee South, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture, based at IALR.

“My goal with having undergraduate students working with the CEA Innovation Center is to provide the opportunity to learn about horticulture, controlled environment agriculture, and research. This provides students at this stage in their education the opportunity to explore these areas as potential graduate school majors and career paths, build skills that will be applicable in other industries and learn about the food production/agriculture industry.” – Dr. Kaylee South, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture

The CEA Innovation Center will continue to recruit and develop undergraduate researchers. Those opportunities are sent directly to colleges and universities in the region when available.

ISO-Certified Analytical Chemistry Lab Supports Diverse Clients

ISO-Certified Analytical Chemistry Lab Supports Diverse Clients

Local growers who need to verify the percentage of cannabinoids in a batch of industrial hemp.

Government agencies that need to examine the makeup of groundwater or identify if any heavy metals are present in a soil sample.

Startup companies that need to quantify the efficacy of products under development or obtain a certificate of analysis for batches of products on the way to market.

Multi-billion-dollar corporations from around the world that need an extremely specialized, customized set of product verification and quality control tests.

These are some of the primary client groups that use the reliable, unique and affordable testing services and capabilities offered by the Analytical Chemistry Lab at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Utilizing some of the most sophisticated and effective commercially available chemistry testing equipment, the IALR Chemistry Lab supports various industries regionally and globally with methodology development and chemical testing services.

Contact Us about Analytical Chemistry Services

“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

Defining Analytical Chemistry Testing Services

At its core, analytical chemistry involves determining the exact chemical composition of a material. This means both identifying every chemical present and quantifying the volume of each.

To complete that level of analysis, the first – and generally more involved – step is to break down a material to its base components or chemicals. This step involves chromatography, which is the process of separating the chemicals.

Once all the base components are separated, chemical detection can commence. Staff in the Analytical Chemistry Lab utilize a mass spectrometer to identify every chemical. One of the most effective mass spectrometers available, the Waters® Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (TQXS MS) can recognize components in the parts per billion, allowing for identification and analysis of trace amounts of any chemical.

The types of testing services that the IALR Analytical Chemistry Lab provides can be divided in two distinct ways:

Individual Testing vs. Ongoing Product Testing

Some clients need a one-time test run on a particular sample. For example, a government agency might need to examine heavy metals in a soil sample. Or a company may want to reverse engineer a product to determine its chemical composition.

On the other hand, many companies provide products for regular quality control testing. The chemistry team would provide a certificate of analysis that validates product claims, making it more valuable to the consumer.

Chemical Analysis vs. Methodology Development

Every client of the Analytical Chemistry Lab utilizes its chemical analysis capabilities on some level. The chemical analysis can range from a series of procedures that examine a single analyte to tests that scan for hundreds of different analytes at the same time.

What makes this lab unique, however, is the ability to provide methodology development to determine what types of tests and processes would work for a given material and client need. There is not a single test or process that works for every material, which is why the chemistry team often must develop an individual method for different clients.

“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

IALR Chemistry Lab Equipment

Waters® ACQUITY UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatograph) system coupled with Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (TQXS MS)
Waters® ACQUITY UPLC system coupled with a Photodiode Array (PDA) Detector and XEVO Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (QToF MS)
Agilent® 7890 Gas Chromatograph (GC) with Agilent 5975C Mass Spectrometer (MS)and Flame Ionization Detector (FID) with the 7696A Headspace Sampler add-on
Agilent® 7800 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
Agilent® 1100 HPLC with Diode Array Detector (DAD)
Astoria Pacific® A2 Segmented Flow Analyzer coupled with an Astoria Pacific 311 autosampler
CEM® MARS 6 Microwave Extractor
Teledyne® Flash Chromatograph
Two Heidolph® 2-liter bench-top rotary evaporators

 

Chemistry Testing for Different Industries

The Analytical Chemistry Lab at IALR supports an exceptionally diverse pool of clients, which can broadly be grouped into a few categories:

  • Local growers
  • Startups
  • Large corporations

Since 2019, IALR’s Analytical Chemistry Lab has been certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to test for cannabinoids in industrial hemp. As one of the few labs in the Commonwealth of Virginia that can issue certificates of analysis for hemp, growers from around Southern Virginia come to IALR for those needs.

“A grower’s livelihood is on the line, so we are very proud to be selected as one of the few labs that can be entrusted with this type of testing.” – Yimeng “Jack” He, Senior Analytical Chemist, IALR

The Analytical Chemistry Lab supports companies from around the world across numerous industries, including agricultural, biotech, chemical, pharmaceutical and natural product industries. Services include Quality Control (QC) testing and QC release, stability studies, method development and optimization and validation.

One regular client is Mara Labs – a relatively young startup company based in Charlottesville, Va., that produces health supplements. After conducting its own internal tests, the company sends samples of its BrocElite® supplement to the IALR Analytical Chemistry Lab for confirmatory testing of the percentage of Stabilized Sulforaphane – a chemical that comes from vegetables like broccoli. Once a sample’s actual chemical makeup is confirmed to match the label, IALR provides a certificate of analysis.

“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

In addition to the frequent confirmatory tests for the BrocElite® supplement, He has worked with the company to develop new methods for several other newer products.

“There’s all different types of methods that you have to go through to get the extraction process for different materials. It takes individualized methods to do that.” – Yimeng “Jack” He, Senior Analytical Chemist, IALR

Chemistry Capabilities that Support Innovative Plant Research

In addition to all the services provided to clients from around the world, the Analytical Chemistry Lab supports the innovative plant-oriented research happening on the IALR campus. While most chemistry labs are oriented towards water, air or material analysis, the IALR lab is ideally suited for plants – making it unique.

Even though it is a critical part of IALR’s Applied Research division, the Analytical Chemistry Lab is not a traditional research lab. However, its capabilities do support the ongoing research of both the Plant Endophyte Research Center – an initiative focused on the use of naturally occurring plant bacteria as biostimulants and biocontrol agents – and the Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center.

An example: the Plant Endophyte Research Center is exploring ways to utilize microorganisms to help plants capture nitrogen from the air. The air is approximately 78% nitrogen, but plants cannot naturally pull nitrogen from the air; nitrogen is one of the costliest and environmentally damaging fertilizers. Some microorganisms (like endophytes) can help that process, and the Chemistry team is developing a specific methodology to see if the bacteria in experiments are fixing nitrogen from the air.

“When you combine our controlled environment agriculture work with our analytical chemistry and our capabilities in biology, it really makes the CEA Innovation Center unique in the U.S. The fact that we have everything together enriches all our programs.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

 

 

Beneficial Bacterial Research Shows Potential for Summer Lettuce Growth

Beneficial Bacterial Research Shows Potential for Summer Lettuce Growth

Researchers from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and Virginia Tech are exploring ways to improve summer lettuce production. Their recently published study in the international peer-reviewed journal Scientia Horticulturae, which IALR Chief Scientist Dr. Chuansheng Mei led, explores the role of certain bacteria in boosting lettuce growth during hot weather.

This research leverages the expertise and resources of the Plant Endophyte Research Center and the Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, both located at IALR. The team combined their plant science, microbiology, biostimulants and agronomy expertise to investigate natural solutions for enhancing lettuce yields.

Key Findings

The title: ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase-producing endophytic bacteria improve hydroponically grown lettuce in the greenhouse during the summer season.

View the Article 

The study focused on examining the effects of bacterial endophytes on lettuce growth in a hydroponic system during the summer. Specifically, the researchers looked at how these beneficial bacteria influenced the growth of two lettuce cultivars, ‘Buttercrunch’ and ‘Rex.’ By introducing selected strains of bacteria with high ACC deaminase activity, which lowers a key plant stress hormone, the team observed significant improvements in lettuce shoot growth and chlorophyll content.

Effective Bacteria

Among the four endophytes tested, Burkholderia contaminans IALR1819 was particularly effective in enhancing lettuce production. With its high ACC deaminase activity, this bacterial endophyte played a crucial role in helping lettuce plants cope with heat stress and thrive in challenging conditions.

Implications for Agriculture

The findings of this research have important implications for agriculture, especially in regions where high temperatures pose challenges to crop production. Producers may have a valuable tool for improving crop resilience and productivity by harnessing the natural capabilities of beneficial bacteria.

As the global population grows, sustainable agricultural solutions are increasingly important. The Plant Endophyte Research Center and the CEA Innovation Center are focused on optimizing crop production while minimizing environmental impact.

The Research Team

Inside IALR Podcast: Cutting-Edge Analytical Chemistry Testing Services

Inside IALR Podcast: Cutting-Edge Analytical Chemistry Testing Services

The “Inside IALR” team sits down with Senior Analytical Chemist, Yimeng “Jack” He, and Vice President of Applied Research, Dr. Scott Lowman, to discuss what analytical chemistry is (1:02). They discuss the primary capabilities and services offered by IALR’s chemistry lab such as Quality Control (QC) testing, stability studies, method development, and optimization and validation (2:21). Jack highlights some of the different pieces of equipment in the lab (9:05) and explains how it compares to other chemistry labs. Dr. Lowman also highlights the differences between fundamental and applied research (25:03) and how the analytical chemistry lab factors into IALR’s other research initiatives.

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Circ – How IALR Supports Industry

Circ – How IALR Supports Industry

The average piece of clothing is worn between seven and 10 times before it is discarded.

Most of those clothing articles end up in the landfill, the incinerator or dumped somewhere around the world.

Less than 1% of textile waste from clothing is recycled back into clothing.

Most of these clothing articles are made from polycotton, a mixture of polyester and cotton. A Danville–based business, Circ is a circular fashion company that implements a unique technology to separate the polyester and cotton, allowing both materials to be recycled and used to create additional clothes later. (Previous efforts to separate these two fibers would result in the destruction of one material or the other.)

“The building blocks of clothing are natural resources like petroleum, cotton or metals. You can take those building blocks from clothing and turn them back into clothing – that’s what we do. It’s closed-loop garment recycling. But you also can take the building blocks from clothing and turn them back into something else. In the end, the building blocks are commodities that can be recycled many, many times.” – Dr. Iulian Bobe, Circ Co-Founder

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has rented lab space and provided various analytical chemistry and research services to Circ throughout the company’s life cycle, epitomizing the mission of regional economic transformation and industry-driven programs, services and support.

“It’s just incredible to see a company grow and be a part of that growth. It’s also very rewarding and at the core of our mission of economic transformation.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research, IALR

The Company Story

In the mid 2010s, Circ’s initial focus was a technology that would extract sugars and oils from tobacco to produce biofuels. Funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission helped the company – then known as Tyton BioSciences – locate in Danville. The hydrothermal technology they developed for the separation process worked, but they saw potential in a different application that also had deep ties to Southern Virginia: textiles.

“We learned a lot about biomass and how to extract those molecules from tobacco. That technology helped us with textile recycling, the application we do today.” – Dr. Iulian Bobe, Circ Co-Founder.

Under the new company name of Circ, they are working to create a circular fashion industry where commodities and products are recycled and reused instead of going straight to the landfill after one use. Circ is facing this issue from multiple fronts by creating new recycled yarn for other brands to use and establishing themselves as their own functional brand.

Today, the company operates out of the Dan River Business Development Center and is focused on scaling operations. Circ’s unique mission and technology recently received international attention as the company became a finalist for the Earthshot Prize – a program founded by Prince William that rewards companies focused on sustainable technology and solutions.

“The story of Circ is an amazing entrepreneurial success story. With an innovative technological advancement, the company has transformed from a startup in the tobacco repurposing sector to an internationally recognized circular textile/fashion company. The story of Circ is a great example of how IALR can play a role in supporting companies throughout their life cycle with a variety of services including office and research lab space.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

IALR Support

The Applied Research team at IALR provides services and testing and collaborates with large and small companies in Southern Virginia, around the country, and even around the world. IALR has more than 60 active nondisclosure agreements with companies worldwide.

Since Circ arrived in Danville, IALR has provided a variety of services and support.

“We basically hired IALR for characterization of the starting materials,” Dr. Bobe said.

In addition to working with IALR’s advanced materials experts, over the years, Circ has contracted analytical chemistry services and even used office and lab space on the campus until 2023.

Since Circ arrived in Danville, IALR has provided a variety of support, including advanced materials and analytical chemistry testing and characterization services.

“In economic development, our job is to compile and market all the ways that a company would benefit from doing business in our area. When recruiting new companies to Southern Virginia, IALR’s ability to provide a variety of support, ranging from testing and analytical services to temporary space to collaboration opportunities, is a major selling point.” – Linda Green, Southern Virginia Regional Alliance Executive Director, IALR Vice President of Economic Development

IALR Collaborates with AgroSpheres

IALR Collaborates with AgroSpheres

Abigail Alderson, a Research Assistant for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and Narges Reiahisamani, a Plant Molecular Biologist for AgroSpheres, have worked together on the IALR campus for about a month. The pair have initially focused on running preliminary tests of the growing environment within the greenhouses at IALR and reading existing literature on RNA interference (RNAi), which allows researchers to target and “turn off” specific genes in particular pests.

Alderson and Reiahisamani are conducting research for AgroSpheres, a Charlottesville-based company focused on environmentally friendly crop protection products that utilize RNAi. In the coming months, they will ramp up their research efforts, using IALR’s Analytical Chemistry Lab and testing services, additional greenhouse space, and plant imaging technology to examine the impact of various products in different growing environments.

This collaboration with AgroSpheres exemplifies IALR’s commitment to partnerships and working closely with industry.

“The needs of industry fuel everything we do within the Applied Research division. Sharing our research capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment and spaces with companies like AgroSpheres is a way to contribute to industry growth, bring new companies into Southern Virginia and drive economic transformation.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research, IALR

Reiahisamani and Alderson will test AgroSpheres’ next generation RNAi biostimulants on various agricultural products, including tomatoes, peppers and canola.

“Having Narges and Abigail on the IALR campus allows us to leverage these advanced capabilities without having to build them ourselves. It also allows us to benefit from the experts on the IALR research team.” – Ameer Shakeel, Founder & CTO, AgroSpheres

Reiahisamani and Alderson will grow plants in IALR’s greenhouse but will also utilize other technologies and testing capabilities, especially in the Analytical Chemistry Lab, to measure those results better. In the future, the pair will also use one of IALR’s SMART Tables, which are precision, automated plant-imaging platforms that allow for thorough measurement across a plant growth cycle.

“We want to try their product and see how it works, confirming the results with different tests and methods,” Reiahisamani explained.

“The SMART Table will give us a way to quantify the physical traits we see without intense, expensive lab procedures,” Alderson added.

Founded in the Charlottesville area in 2016, AgroSpheres aims to transform agriculture through reliable and affordable biobased solutions. In May of 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the company would invest $25 million to expand in Albermarle County, creating an additional 50 jobs. In late November the company also announced $25 million in Series B funding round with a strategic investment from FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), a global leader in agriculture sciences.

“IALR has been a very helpful partner that we can rely on for any analytical/experimental needs, and now we are hoping to invest back into IALR and increase our presence in the Danville community.” – Ameer Shakeel, Founder & CTO, AgroSpheres

“Everyone has been accommodating and collaborative and made sure we have everything we need,” Alderson said.

IALR frequently hosts and collaborates with educators, researchers and companies from Southern Virginia and worldwide. Companies that need contract research services or are interested in utilizing labs, greenhouses or research space at IALR should contact Dr. Scott Lowman.

High School Students Experience Plant Sciences, Robotics with IALR SMART Tables

High School Students Experience Plant Sciences, Robotics with IALR SMART Tables

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) utilizes four Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table (SMART) imaging platforms, or SMART Tables, which are automated AgTech innovations, for various experiments and research.

IALR recently installed a SMART Table at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham to give students a hands-on, memorable introduction to plant and computer science concepts. So far, students in multiple environmental science classes have conducted a simple, multi-week plant growth cycle and will examine the experiment data in the future.

“The opportunity for students to work with both plant sciences and computer science, automation and robotics at Hargrave improves their overall academic experience. By combining these fields, students gain a multidisciplinary understanding and develop practical skills that can be applied in various industries.” – Betsy Kent, STEM Chair, Hargrave Military Academy

Implementing a SMART Table at Hargrave is part of a long-term goal to utilize these unique plant imaging tables as an educational tool across Southern Virginia and beyond.

“We are always trying to inspire students and introduce them to robotics, computer science and agricultural production career opportunities. Having these types of interactions with high schools provides preliminary data and proof of concept so that we can expand into more schools.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

SMART Tables are automated plant imaging platforms that allow researchers to automatically take thousands of photographs over a plant’s life cycle, collecting data from beginning to end.

The SMART tables consist of an aluminum frame with a tray of individual plants. Every 15 minutes, a webcam mounted to a mechanical arm, called a gantry, captures a picture of each plant. Computer analysis of pixel count and other factors allows researchers to automatically measure plant size, leaf shape, plant movement, discoloration and more. These functions are all controlled using Python code, which tells the gantry and camera when to move across the table and take photos. IALR interns and staff are continually working to improve the functionality of the SMART Tables, adding new, complex computer codes for enhanced automation and designing new systems.

Javon Brooks and Archie Hooper, both juniors at Hargrave Military Academy, said that the weeks-long experiment was memorable because they got to take care of the plants, see how the camera system worked and then eat the lettuce.

“Having a SMART Table here definitely left some excitement in the class.” – Javon Brooks, Junior, Hargrave Military Academy

“The process was really fast, and the lettuce started growing so quickly.” – Archie Hooper, Junior, Hargrave Military Academy

In these first experiments, the focus has been primarily on the environmental science and plant growth components. As Hargrave teachers learn the basics of the table’s computer interface and automated processes, students will be able to focus more on the computer science aspects of the table.

“We are just excited to be able to join forces with IALR to help all students learn about the different types of agriculture and to work on this project. I hope for additional projects and experiments that we can do together in the future.” – Betsy Kent, STEM Chair, Hargrave

In the future, this technology could integrate into different modules for the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program, a talent development model run in partnership with K12, higher education, industry and economic development.

IALR to Bolster Agribusiness Support, Research with Recent Grants

IALR to Bolster Agribusiness Support, Research with Recent Grants

Grants come from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Several recently awarded grants are positioning the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and the Virginia Tech (VT)-IALR CEA Innovation Center to increase support for agribusinesses in Southern Virginia and conduct critical research in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector. These funds will allow the development of a food system initiative, the offering of affordable testing services for the CEA industry, and research into the impact of beneficial bacteria in CEA environments.

IALR was awarded two grants totaling approximately $250,000 from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) along with $100,000 from an anonymous donor that will allow the creation of two new positions and the development and implementation of new services. A Specialty Crop Block Grant from VDACS revolves around the use of technology and biostimulants to enhance and promote Virginia’s specialty crops.

“This funding will position IALR to conduct more innovative research, empower regional producers to distribute their products, and provide critical testing services for the CEA industry. Each of these initiatives, which are only possible due to dynamic partnerships and intentional support from organizations like VDACS and the Tobacco Commission, directly relate to our mission of driving economic transformation.” — IALR President Telly Tucker

“Supporting the agricultural economy of Southern and Southwest Virginia has always been a top priority for the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission since it was first created nearly 25 years ago. Like many industries, agriculture is becoming increasingly advanced and so the Commission is proud to partner with IALR to ensure that Virginia farmers can meet the challenges, and reap the rewards, of advancements in fields like controlled environment agriculture and more. At the end of the day, the Commission is committed to creating new revenue streams and increasing incomes for our farmers and producers. These projects will do just that and I am pleased that the Commission chose to support them.” — Tobacco Commission Acting Executive Director James E. Campos

CEA Testing and Outreach

To address common issues CEA producers face, the Virginia Tech-IALR CEA Innovation Center will establish third-party product/method evaluation and testing services for CEA companies. Additionally, staff will expand outreach efforts by providing educational materials to growers. This project will provide assistance and information to benefit small, medium and large CEA producers and suppliers.

“Part of our mission at the CEA Innovation Center is to build partnerships with industry to advance CEA in VA. Through conversations with industry members, the need for a testing service was identified. This grant will allow us to meet that need by working with industry to evaluate products and ideas under greenhouse and vertical farm conditions.” — Dr. Kaylee South, Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

IALR will hire a research technician to manage these testing services. The TRRC granted $145,841 towards this initiative. Virginia Tech is also providing funds to install a Postdoctoral research position.

Value Chain Coordination

To help diversify agribusiness and increase net farm output in Southern Virginia, IALR will establish a robust local food system that connects producers and farmers with institutional buyers, food hubs and other purchasers.

Many farmers lack the time and resources to promote their goods to potential customers. Simultaneously, many large institutional buyers would like to offer local produce, meat and dairy to their employees and visitors, but they would prefer not to interact with each farmer individually. This food system will facilitate those interactions.

“An overarching focus of Applied Research at IALR is to help diversify agribusiness in Southern Virginia and increase net farm income, profitability and opportunity for new and existing farms of all sizes. This grant will allow us to meet that goal with the addition of a value chain coordinator to help create a robust local food system where farmers’ price points are met while local consumers gain greater access to their products. This will be a unique, impactful program that fits squarely into IALR’s mission of economic transformation for Southern Virginia.” — Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research IALR

IALR will hire a Value Chain Coordinator to manage the implementation of this food hub. TRRC awarded $104,452 toward this initiative. An anonymous donation of $100,000 will also support this initiative.

Specialty Crop Block Grants

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $550,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding at the end of October, and two of those grants were for research happening at IALR. Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Senior Scientist at IALR, and Dr. Kaylee South, an Assistant Professor of CEA within Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences who works with the CEA Innovation Center, received the grants.

Dr. Amaradasa will be researching the use of endophytes – beneficial bacteria that live inside plants and help plants grow better and tolerate stress – in the growth of strawberries in soilless systems. This research outcome would help growers increase profits in hydroponically grown strawberries by using growth-promoting bacteria.

Dr. South, Dr. Michael Evans, and other Virginia Tech researchers will develop and evaluate the use of biofungicides for the control of common diseases in CEA production. This goal will be fulfilled by developing and assessing RNAi-based biofungicides targeting grey mold in strawberry production and downy mildew in spinach production.

Specialty Crop Block Grant program funding is authorized annually by the 2018 Farm Bill. The awards resulted from a competitive grant process established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) for funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s primary footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

About IALR’s Mission

About the Tobacco Commission Revitalization Commission

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is a 28-member body created by the 1999 General Assembly. Its mission is the promotion of economic growth and development in formerly tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. To date, the Commission has created tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in Southern and Southwest Virginia.

About the TRRC