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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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Florida Poly partners with Microsoft for virtual workshop series

May 14, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University is partnering with tech giant Microsoft to offer weekly online professional development workshops for the University community this summer. The weekly series, Microsoft Mondays at Florida Poly, kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on May 18 with “Rock Your LinkedIn with Microsoft.” The workshops are free and open to everyone. They will be delivered through Microsoft Teams, which

Remote work for employees extended through the end of May

May 13, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. All, I hope you are staying safe and healthy as the COVID-19 crisis keeps turning almost every aspect of our lives upside down. I’ve enjoyed reading about the many ways you are rising to the challenge in

Second chance leads to flourishing opportunities for 2020 Florida Poly grad

May 12, 2020

For a long time, Joshua Santos ’20 listened to everyone else while trying to achieve the goals others had for him. As a consequence, after three years struggling to complete an engineering degree at a larger state university, his effort fell short. His passion for aerospace ran dry. “I was told for so long ‘this is what you should be

Florida Poly recognizes employees despite COVID-19

May 7, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – The COVID-19 pandemic may have forced the cancellation of in-person events, but that is not stopping leaders at Florida Polytechnic University from honoring its faculty and staff. This year, Florida Poly’s annual Ablaze ceremony became a memorable video that recognizes employees for their extraordinary contributions to the University. The award celebration has become one of the school’s

Data science researchers at Florida Poly work to improve online community use

May 6, 2020

Surfing social media and delving into digital post comments can lead web users to strange or unwanted places. Dr. Rei Sanchez-Arias, an assistant professor of data science and business analytics at Florida Polytechnic University, is working to make these digital networks more meaningful and orderly. “We live in a world of big data. There are many data sources, but a

Florida Poly computer science team works to transform surgical training

May 5, 2020

When surgeons learn to perform arthroscopic surgery on a patient’s shoulder area, navigating around the confined area and tight structures with instruments inserted through small incisions can be challenging. Adding unintuitive camera orientation and constrained motions further complicates the task. A group of faculty and student researchers at Florida Polytechnic University are working to make this training and assessment of

2020 graduate ready to make impact in computer science

May 4, 2020

Editor’s note: While the COVID-19 situation has caused Florida Polytechnic University to shift to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester and reschedule our commencement ceremony, the hard work of our graduating seniors continues. This story is part of a series of stories highlighting and honoring our 2020 graduates. When Michael Perez transferred to Florida Polytechnic University in 2018,

Florida Poly hosting individual campus visits for prospective Phoenixes

May 1, 2020

Students considering Florida Polytechnic University for their educational home this fall are now able to schedule an in-person visit to see its iconic campus up close in a safe way. Beginning on May 4, the Admissions Department will host individual visits to the Lakeland, Florida campus. Tours were among the University activities that were suspended in March due to the

Phoenixes Rise Together

May 1, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. Students, The Spring 2020 semester will always be remembered, but I hope it is remembered most for all that you have achieved. Graduating Seniors: Congratulations! I look forward to congratulating you in person at the Dec. 18 commencement

Spring 2020 Game Expo shows off student creations online

April 30, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University students who have worked all semester developing innovative video games are getting the chance to show them off online at the annual Spring Game Expo. Florida Poly traditionally hosts fall and spring game expos on campus, but ongoing social distancing restrictions and state-mandated closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the spring expo’s cancellation. Dr. Doga Demirel,

Florida Poly engineering students add a new dimension to dance

April 29, 2020

A team of Florida Polytechnic University students is using technology to convert the beauty and grace of dance into an innovative, stunning work of art. Junior Jaimie Davis and 2020 master’s graduate Matthew Giallourakis are collaborating with Florida Dance Theatre to transform dancers’ movements into digital art. “We wanted to take the arts and STEM and combine them in this

Addressing campus resiliency

April 28, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. All, When COVID-19 began forcing our country to work from home and many of our favorite businesses temporarily closed their doors, it was only a matter of time before the related financial effects began touching everyone. Sadly, higher