Press Release: Get Ready to Grow Smarter: CEA Summit East 2025 Returns to Virginia This September

The CEA Summit East is back for the fourth year in 2025. Join us in Danville, VA, Sept 9th – 10th. Read the full press release on our partner’s website: https://indoor.ag/get-ready-to-grow-smarter-cea-summit-east-2025-returns-to-virginia-this-september/
VA CEA Industry and the CEA Innovation Center highlighted by Cardinal News

Check out this article published in June 2025, written by Tad Dickens at Cardinal News, highlighting some of the research and education taking place at the CEA Innovation Center and the growing CEA industry: https://cardinalnews.org/2025/06/23/vertical-farming-looking-up-rural-virginia-controlled-environment-agriculture-takes-root/
Meet the Graduate Students: Colin Fite

Colin Fite completed dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry (with a minor in Mathematics) and Biochemistry (with a concentration in Biology) during his undergraduate studies at East Carolina University. During his time at ECU, he gathered technical skills in molecular techniques and immunohistochemistry through undergraduate research with maize. Additionally, he gained experience in a […]
Video Alert: Check out new VT video showcasing PhD student Brandan Shur

Brandan Shur, PhD Student studying under Dr. Michael Evan’s supervision in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, was featured in a VT News video titled “Small plant, big impact.” This video interview showcases some of the work that Brandan is conducting as part of his dissertation to help advance the CEA industry. Watch the […]
Meet the Graduate Students: Praveen Gajula

I’m Praveen Gajula, a PhD student in Horticulture at Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, working in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center under the supervision of Dr. Kaylee South. My research focuses on plant pathogen management in soilless systems, utilizing RNAi-based biofungicides to control gray mold in strawberries, and utilizing beneficial […]
Ferrum Professor hosted in the CEA Innovation Center

Dr. Tim Durham, Associate Professor of Crop Science at Ferrum College, worked in the CEA Innovation Center with Dr. Kaylee South during an IALR Fellowship. Learn more about his time in the Innovation Center on the IALR website: https://www.ialr.org/ferrum-professor-diversifying-cea-knowledge-during-ialr-fellowship/
Mitchell Doss tells his story to becoming an IALR employee including his time working in the CEA Innovation Center

Mitchell Doss, former CEA Innovation Center employee and VT M.S. student in Dr. Michael Evans’s lab tells his story in an interview with IALR. See the full story here: https://www.ialr.org/an-ialr-career-path-from-two-time-intern-to-employee/
Two college students studying in Danville work in the CEA Innovation Center

Two students, Jacob Haymore and Cameron Dallas, working in Dr. Kaylee South’s lab were featured in an IALR News Story. Read more on the IALR website: https://www.ialr.org/college-students-working-in-cea-innovation-center/