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Robotics & Automation, Inside IALR podcast, etc.
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“AUTOMAGIC:” Robots and Automated Manufacturing
Three robots and two large manufacturing machines communicating, collaborating and accomplishing tasks, all without human direction or involvement. Together, they take a piece of aluminum and, through several processes, convert it into a finished and packaged product. This will soon be a reality as part of the Industry 4.0 Lab in IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement.

“Even with the rapid development of automation and technology, manufacturing jobs are not going anywhere. They are simply evolving to require more skills in areas like coding, engineering and math. Much of our focus at IALR is preparing the workforce for the future by teaching those needed skills in programs across all age and experience levels.”Todd Yeatts, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Advancement, IALR
Impactful STEM Camps at IALR
Over the course of the last few months, IALR has hosted a series of STEM Camps to engage area youth with math, science, technology and engineering in the world around them. Through the creative exploration of topics such as cybersecurity, the economy and more, students have built collaborative skills while learning about available career opportunities.
Two New Podcast Episodes
 
STEM Capacity, Connecting Students to Careers, and Lifelong Learning

Learn about the Advanced Learning division's many programs and focus areas from Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning. Opportunities are available to benefit people of all ages, interests and skill levels.

The Center for Manufacturing Advancement: Technology, Partnerships and Impact

The Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) combines technology, innovation and partnerships to further the manufacturing industry in Southern Virginia and beyond. Manufacturing Advancement Executive Vice President Todd Yeatts joins the show to highlight the impact of the CMA.


  • The Southern Piedmont Technology Council (SPTC) is organizing the “Evolution of the New College Institute.” Joe Sumner, Executive Director, will talk about the history and evolution of the New College Institute on August 10.


  • IALR will host the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Economic Forecast Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on August 22. Tom Barkin, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, will speak at the event.

  • The Danville Office of Economic Development and Tourism is providing free half-day hospitality and tourism training sessions for local frontline hospitality workers, public employees, and business owners. Morning and afternoon sessions will take place at IALR on August 24.


  • Life Line Screening will be at IALR on Wednesday, August 30 to offer preventative health screenings to detect the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

69 Students Start ATDM
IALR welcomed a cohort of 69 students for the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program yesterday. This cohort includes CNC machining, quality control inspection (metrology) and welding students from 12 states and territories, including five local students. This cohort includes ATDM's first 3rd shift classes. Ramping up quickly, this rapid training program is set to graduate 800-1,000 students annually by 2025.
IALR Scientist Presents at Conferences
 
Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist, presented the research and focus of the IALR Plant Endophyte Research Center and Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center at two recent conferences. One involved NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The other was at the U.S. Biostimulants Summit 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Work with IALR
As IALR grows, we are looking for talented people like you to join our team. We have dozens of open positions across a variety of career areas. We offer competitive pay, an excellent benefits package and a people-focused, purpose-driven culture.
IALR VP Named to Commonwealth Transportation Board
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin named Linda Green, Vice President of Economic Development at IALR and Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Congratulations, Linda.
A Month of Successful Events at IALR
  • Over 100 people attended AgBio 2023, which was co-hosted with Virginia Bio and North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO) on July 19. Three IALR scientists and the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture, Matthew Lohr, were among the speakers.

  • AmeriCorps held their End of Year Celebration to salute the dedication, service and devotion of STEM education and public health AmeriCorps members at IALR earlier this month.

  • Hundreds of new and existing staff attended Danville Public Schools' new teacher and staff orientation at IALR in late July. New employees got to meet their colleagues, learn what they can expect in their roles and ask questions about school policies and procedures.

  • This month, IALR’s summer interns spent a day touring Southern Virginia. The day included a walkthrough of IALR's Manufacturing Advancement division, a personalized tour of Danville’s River District, and an overview of economic development and down revitalization, among other things.

  • The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition visited IALR on July 12, learning about IALR's history and future and taking an extensive tour across campus. By seeing firsthand the advancements being made in the field of manufacturing, the group hopes to implement similar strategies within their region to improve economic development.

  • IALR hosted the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) Leadership Retreat on July 20-21. Over 50 VEDA Board of Directors members, committee chairs and special interest group leaders collectively discussed and developed strategies for the organization’s 2024 program of work.

  • IALR's summer interns visited Washington, D.C., on July 19, meeting Senator Mark Warner, Representative Bob Good and Legislative Correspondent Carolyn Olortegui from Senator Tim Kaine’s office. From navigating the metro to advocating for legislation, these young adults learned new skills during the day at the nation’s capital.

  • STEM and innovation were the themes for the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning this month, with a three-part series on Pure Data allowing members to learn how to blend coding and music together while finishing the series by building their own expressive musical instrument. The Wonder Community finished the month with a private tour of the Danville Science Center.
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