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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

September 3, 2025

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

August 27, 2025

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

August 22, 2025

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

August 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

August 13, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

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Capstone team designs critical planetary rover component for NASA

December 22, 2022

A senior capstone design team at Florida Polytechnic University worked at a lightning speed throughout the fall semester to design and build an updated shoulder for a marsupial planetary rover. The 10-member team worked closely with the Florida Space Institute as it progressed through the super capstone project, which is compressed into a single semester rather than an entire academic

Passionate about aerospace, students design self-correcting rocket engine

December 20, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University seniors Mac Feilmeier and Austin Rumancik spent the last several weeks of the fall semester designing and building a thrust vectored rocket, or a rocket that self-corrects its direction if it detects any deviation from its planned flightpath. “In our microprocessors class, we were essentially asked to make something cool and creative with what we’ve been learning,”

5 Florida Poly researchers among world’s top scientists

December 16, 2022

Five researchers from Florida Polytechnic University have been recognized as being among the top 2% of scientists globally on a prestigious annual list compiled by Stanford University. The findings are published in PLOS Biology. “This achievement represents years of hard work, determination, and dedication by these faculty,” said Dr. Terry Parker, Florida Poly’s provost. “We are exceptionally proud of these

Winter break campus hours and closures

December 13, 2022

The 2022 winter break begins on Saturday, Dec. 17. As Florida Polytechnic University prepares for its winter break, please note the operating hours of some campus services may be affected through the end of the month. The list below outlines the affected services. We look forward to seeing students back on campus when classes resume on Monday, Jan. 9. Florida

New physics society offers educational, networking opportunities

December 12, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University members of Sigma Pi Sigma and the Society of Physics Students are taking advantage of opportunities that expose them to internationally recognized scholars, new research, and specialized educational events. The University chapter of the national honor society recently attended the 2022 Physics Congress in Washington, D.C. Ten engineering physics students attended conference events and discussions, and also

Florida Poly powerlifters muscle their way to spring national championship

December 9, 2022

Ten members of the Florida Polytechnic University Women’s Powerlifting team competed in the USA Powerlifting Collegiate State Championship in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 3-4. Madison Yonash, the team’s captain and coach, and Breanne Menikheim qualified for the national powerlifting championship competition to be held next April in Texas. “It was a super amazing experience,” said Yonash, a junior majoring in

Fulbright Finland pact broadens global opportunities at Florida Poly

December 8, 2022

Officials from Florida Polytechnic University and the Fulbright Finland Foundation have signed an agreement to provide educational opportunities between the University and Finland. The memorandum of understanding, which was signed by Dr. Randy Avent, Florida Poly’s president, and Terhi Mölsä, CEO of the Fulbright Finland Foundation, will allow for the development of new international research collaborations. Finnish researchers and scholars

Annual police toy drive boosts seasonal cheer in Lakeland and beyond

December 6, 2022

Deep into each fall semester, the Florida Polytechnic University Police Department starts preparing for one of its biggest outreach efforts of the year. The department is the mischievous group behind the annual toy drive benefitting children at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and a small rural community in Honduras. University faculty, staff, and students donated dozens of unwrapped toys for

Fall Game Expo spotlights student-created video games

December 3, 2022

High school students from across the region flocked to Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, Dec. 3, to try out student-created video games and learn about education and career paths in computer science during the annual Fall Game EXPO. “The Game Expo provides Florida Poly students with a great experience seeing a project from design to completion, then presenting the project

Renowned academic leader joins Florida Poly Board of Trustees

November 30, 2022

Florida’s Board of Governors has appointed Dr. Dave Williams to the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees. Williams is emeritus dean and professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University “We are very excited to be welcoming Dave and his distinguished academic experience to the board,” said Cliff Otto, the board’s chair. “His unique

Thanksgiving holiday campus services and closures

November 21, 2022

As the long-awaited holiday weekend draws near, Florida Polytechnic University wishes the entire University community a happy Thanksgiving. Those staying on campus and those leaving to spend the holiday with friends and family should be mindful of the following changes to campus services and closures during the break. There will be no classes Wednesday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 25.

Alum turns entrepreneur with new video game design studio

November 21, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University alum Chris Didier ’18 is living out his childhood dreams. His professional life since graduation ushered him into the world of software engineering and development, and he has used this experience to launch his own video game studio. “Growing up, I had a Super Nintendo and loved playing video games like Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Super Smash