News

Latest News

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

All Stories

NSF grant funds pioneering Florida Poly Parkinson’s research

June 26, 2024

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease could become more definitive and measurable thanks to cutting-edge research being developed at Florida Polytechnic University. Dr. Chris Kelley, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has received a $200,000 National Science Foundation Grant to apply control theory to improve the understanding of movement dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. The progressive brain disorder causes unintended, uncontrollable movements like

Autonomous vehicle leader advancing research through prestigious Fulbright award

June 18, 2024

Dr. Rahul Razdan, a globally recognized expert in autonomous vehicle technology and senior director of special projects at Florida Polytechnic University, is preparing to head to Hungary this August to begin research funded by the esteemed John von Neumann Distinguished Award in STEM. Razdan will be hosted by the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering at Széchenyi István University. Fulbright

President Avent’s passion project a tribute to his dad

June 15, 2024

Dr. Randy K. Avent is giving himself a gift that would make his father proud. For the last three years, the Florida Polytechnic University president has spent many of his weekends outside his Lakeland, Florida, home carefully restoring his dad’s 1983 Chevrolet C10 pick-up truck to its original condition. It was the first new vehicle his dad ever owned. Avent’s

Florida Poly secures state funding for new Student Achievement Center

June 13, 2024

A new Student Achievement Center will soon provide even greater support to Florida Polytechnic University students as they pursue the in-demand STEM degrees that help fuel Florida’s high-tech economy. Florida Poly received $5.7 million in funding for the achievement center’s preliminary design stage after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget on Wednesday, June 12. The new budget takes effect

Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Poly join forces to fight Artificial Intelligence crime

June 7, 2024

The Polk County Sherriff’s Office (PSCO) announced the creation of a new law enforcement unit focused on cybercrime related to artificial intelligence (AI). The new AI investigative unit was developed in partnership with Florida Polytechnic University, which will provide essential technical and research support. “Modern law enforcement needs to stay ahead of the technological curve when it comes to preventing,

Florida Poly’s pioneering solar racecar team fueled by TECO donation

June 5, 2024

The Phoenix Racing team at Florida Polytechnic University received a financial boost from Tampa Electric (TECO) to support its first-ever entry into the national collegiate 2024 Formula Sun Grand Prix solar car race in mid-July. TECO donated $7,500 in shareholder funds to the interdisciplinary student team, which has spent the last two years honing their ideas and constructing the car,

Prepare now for the hurricane season ahead

May 31, 2024

The Atlantic hurricane season starts on Saturday, June 1, bringing with it the potential for strong storms in Central Florida. While the exact timing and strength of storms can’t yet be known, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center again expect an above-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic with 17-25 named storms this season. Of those,

Florida Poly’s noteworthy Fulbright cohort geared up to make a difference

May 29, 2024

In a prestigious international exchange of research, ideas, and culture, Florida Polytechnic University is again expecting robust participation in the U.S Fulbright Program for the 2024-2025 academic year. Fulbright Scholars are professionals like college or university faculty members, administrators, artists, and others who travel to other countries to reach, lecture, research, and exchange ideas. This year, Florida Poly will host

Alum engineers multistate success with Whiting-Turner

May 23, 2024

In the six years since Chris Dowdy ’18 earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering as a member of Florida Polytechnic University’s inaugural class, he has built a solid career as a project manager at Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, a nationwide construction management, design-build, and integrated project delivery firm. Before joining the company’s Nashville, Tennessee, office two years ago, he was

Drs. Faeza and Peter Kazmier’s gifts leave lasting impact at Florida Poly

May 17, 2024

In a display of generosity and commitment to education, Dr. Faeza Rashid Kazmier and her husband, Dr. Peter Kazmier, have each made significant contributions of $50,000 to Florida Polytechnic University. Their gifts have resulted in the naming of two classrooms in their honor, symbolizing their dedication to supporting the University’s mission and fostering a culture of philanthropy. “We cannot control

Researcher celebrated for valuable contributions in nanotechnology

May 15, 2024

Dr. Ajeet Kaushik’s expertise in nanotechnology, sensors, biosensors, and nanomedicine for health and environmental management has carried his stellar reputation across the country and around the world. The assistant professor of chemistry at Florida Polytechnic University spent much of the 2023-2024 academic year sharing his knowledge both in the classroom and among his vaunted peers. “Doing research in a particular

Dr. Devin Stephenson confirmed by Board of Governors as Florida Poly’s 2nd president

May 8, 2024

The Florida Board of Governors (BOG) voted unanimously today to confirm Dr. Devin Stephenson as the next president of Florida Polytechnic University. Stephenson was selected as the institution’s second president by the Florida Poly Board of Trustees (BOT) on April 15. His selection followed a thorough presidential search which narrowed the field to five highly qualified finalists. “I believe all