What do submarines, aircraft and even theme park rides have in common?

They all rely on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to ensure safety and reliability.

In this episode of Inside IALR, host Caleb Ayers talks with Phil Bowers, NDT instructor for the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, and Michael Donnelly, NDT manager with Industrial Inspection & Analysis at the Center for Manufacturing Advancement. Together, they unpack the fascinating history of NDT — from its origins in the railroad era to its role in modern defense manufacturing — and explore the science behind methods like ultrasonic testing, X-ray imaging and eddy current inspection.

Plus, find out why NDT careers are in high demand and how technology like AI and robotics is shaping the next generation of inspections.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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In this episode of Inside IALR, we sit down with two of our most experienced research associates, Amy Turner and Rob Chretien.

Each has more than a decade of hands-on experience in IALR's research labs. They've witnessed significant changes in agricultural research, from theoretical plant genetics to cutting-edge applied science, during that time.

Learn about their work with beneficial plant bacteria (endophytes), precision agriculture and controlled environment systems that promise to revolutionize food production. Hear stories of unusual experiments, like rearing black soldier fly larvae, and discover how partnerships with industry are turning research into real-world solutions.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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This episode shifts the focus from student success stories to the broader impact of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program on the maritime industrial base. Joined by Mike Villanueva of BAE Systems, Michael Ripich of AT&F, and Justin Scarce from ATDM, the conversation explores how companies are leveraging ATDM graduates to fill vital roles in shipbuilding and defense manufacturing. From welding and NDT to CNC machining, the program’s accelerated, hands-on training is helping employers meet urgent workforce needs.

Hear firsthand accounts of how career fairs at ATDM differ from traditional hiring events, why companies are sending their own employees for upskilling and how ATDM is helping solve one of the nation’s most pressing challenges: building submarines and ships to protect national security.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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Host Caleb Ayers sits down with Meredith Gregory, Director of Digital Strategy and Program Management, to explore the real-world applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and business. Meredith shares her journey from Northern Virginia to IALR, explains the foundational math behind AI and discusses how companies can adopt AI tools to solve specific problems. From resume restructuring to computer vision for defect detection, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone interested in integrating AI into their operations.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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In this episode of Inside IALR, host Caleb Ayers is joined by Ereina Avery (Austal USA), Jon Harrison (Phillips Corporation), and Jason Wells (IALR) for a deep dive into the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCOE). Together, they explore how this unique public-private consortium is transforming the Navy’s supply chain by developing and deploying 3D-printed parts for ships and submarines. From powder bed fusion to wire arc deposition, the team breaks down the technologies, the challenges of scaling additive manufacturing and the mission-driven collaboration that makes it all possible.

Hear how AM CoE has delivered critical parts in record time, created transferable technical data packages, and built a model for innovation that supports both the warfighter and the future of manufacturing.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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In this special episode of Inside IALR, we take you straight to the floor of the Career ChoICE Youth Expo, a dynamic, hands-on career fair designed for middle and high school students across Southern Virginia. Hear directly from students as they explore everything from virtual reality welding and flight simulators to radiologic technology and forestry. Employers and educators share why this event matters—and how it's helping shape the region’s future workforce. Whether it's a seventh grader dreaming of the presidency or a tenth grader discovering equestrian veterinary medicine, this episode is packed with inspiration, curiosity, and real-world impact.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program is preparing the next generation of skilled workers for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base. With an 85% job placement rate and graduates from nearly every state, ATDM is creating real career opportunities. In this episode, recent graduates Dylan Carter and Angel Gallaher describe how the program equipped them with technical expertise and career-ready confidence.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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In this episode of Inside IALR, we sit down with President Telly Tucker and Executive Vice President of Operations Dr. John Hughes for a wide-ranging conversation about growth, leadership and the mission of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. From managing exponential expansion to filling workforce gaps, Tucker and Hughes reflect on how IALR continues to transform lives in Southern Virginia and beyond. Along the way, they share candid insights on challenges, opportunities, and the people who make it all possible.

This episode offers a thoughtful look behind the curtain at IALR’s momentum, future regional economic transformation, leadership in action, and how innovation takes shape across research, manufacturing, workforce and education.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.

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