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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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Iconic Florida Poly building featured on international TV show

July 21, 2022

The jaw-dropping Innovation, Science, and Technology Building at Florida Polytechnic University is featured on the latest episode of the international TV show “How Did They Build That?” on the Smithsonian Channel. The series investigates the world’s biggest and greatest man-made structures, focusing on the work of the architects, engineers, and builders behind the structures, as well as their use of

Coca-Cola internship offers window to mechanical engineering opportunities

July 18, 2022

Mechanical engineering major Sam Morrison is learning the process of Coca-Cola’s supply chain inside out during a summer internship at the soft drink company’s bottling and distribution facilities in Tampa, Florida. “I am loving this real-world experience and seeing how people relate their engineering degrees to daily life,” said Morrison, a quality and supply chain intern at the company. “It’s

Professor’s new app to create one of largest 3D facial scan libraries for research

July 14, 2022

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dr. Oguzhan Topsakal, assistant professor of computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, has developed a cutting-edge, easy-to-use iOS app to collect detailed 3D facial scans. The goal is to create one of the largest 3D facial scan libraries in the world to help advance technology for facial plastic surgeries and craniofacial research. “There currently are not many

Publix opportunity paves way for promising analytics career

July 12, 2022

Senior Magelee Delgado is spending her summer maximizing a remarkable career opportunity that could define her professional future. The Florida Polytechnic University business analytics major is working for grocery giant Publix Super Markets as a purchasing analyst intern at the company’s Lakeland, Florida, headquarters. It is the first step in what she hopes will be a long career with the

Alum keeps supply chains running smoothly for South Florida company

July 5, 2022

The work Greg Dills ’18, ’21 does as a senior data analyst for Ryder System, Inc. helps keep the Miami, Florida, company’s transportation systems humming around the country. “I support the transportation management side of the business, which supports the supply chain operations for many Fortune 500 companies,” Dills said. “I assist our internal stakeholders with data analysis requests, ad

Professor recognized with prestigious industrial engineering fellow award

June 23, 2022

Dr. Grisselle Centeno, a professor at Florida Polytechnic University, recently was inducted as a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). The award is the highest classification of membership in IISE. It recognizes outstanding leaders of the profession that have made significant, nationally recognized contributions to industrial engineering. A maximum of 20 industrial and systems engineering professionals

Florida Poly expands European footprint with presidential visit to Spain

June 20, 2022

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, strengthened European ties and shared the University’s approach to producing career-ready STEM graduates in a visit to Spain that concluded on Monday, June 20. The trip positions Florida Poly for greater international stature and collaboration. “This visit will help establish a presence for Florida Poly in Europe,” Avent said. “It will

Alum working to transform future of aquatic physical therapy

June 14, 2022

Florida Polytechnic University alumnus Abu Bony Amin ’20 is working on research that could improve the assessment of aquatic physical therapy for patients with balance difficulties. Amin, who received a master’s degree in engineering from Florida Poly in 2020, is pursuing his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and research at the institution’s College

New class of Presidential Ambassadors ready to work

June 9, 2022

When Ahna Cecil was a freshman at Florida Polytechnic University, the data science major discovered a group of students who were polished, successful, and driven to support and represent their University. She was inspired to join them. “There were a lot of upperclassmen I really looked up to, and they spoke highly of the Presidential Ambassador program as a real

Florida Poly to help improve access to high-speed internet in Polk County

June 8, 2022

Researchers at Florida Polytechnic University are working to help close the gaps in broadband connectivity in Polk County through a $250,000 feasibility study recently approved by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. The study aims to address the insufficient broadband coverage problems that exist in the county and provide supporting documentation and validation that can affect policies, influence legislation,

Are you ready for hurricane season?

June 1, 2022

Forecasters predict a bustling 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The season began June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. Florida Polytechnic University urges its students and employees to take early actions to prepare for possible storm impacts. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center again predict an above-normal hurricane season with 14-21 named storms this season. Of

Brazilian university leaders learn innovation, technology trends at Florida Poly

May 31, 2022

Presidents, provosts, and other leaders from universities throughout Brazil visited Florida Polytechnic University on Friday, May 27, as part of an international mission to learn from some of the United States’ best higher education institutions. It is the latest effort in the University’s strong focus on international relationships, which includes robust Fulbright partnerships and the recent appointment of Dr. Randy