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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 Polytechnic University junior celebrates fatherhood while chasing engineering dreams

June 13, 2019

When Florida Polytechnic University junior Matthew McBride Jr. wakes up on Father’s Day this Sunday, he’ll be celebrated by two of his biggest – and smallest – supporters. His children, Pheenix, 8, and Lincoln, 2, will surely shower him with handmade crafts, giggles, and Father’s Day wishes before they and his wife, Amnesty McBride, hit the pool and launch a

Florida Polytechnic University junior devotes summer to improving airline entertainment

June 12, 2019

Next time Florida Polytechnic University junior Lindsey Gerberich boards a plane, she may feel satisfaction knowing she played a role in the Wi-Fi service she’ll connect to, the payment service she’ll use, and the movie she’ll watch during the flight. Gerberich is interning this summer at Thales Avionics in Melbourne, Florida, working on what she calls “the fun part of

Florida Polytechnic University Rotaract Club strives to serve others above self

June 10, 2019

Dorian Gray had never heard of the Rotaract Club when he began his journey at Florida Polytechnic University in 2016, coming from his native Bahamas. All he knew was that he wanted to focus not only on his classes, but also on his new environment and get involved in the community he now called home. “I came from a Third

Underrepresented students discover possibilities for bright high-tech futures

June 7, 2019

Stanley Pierre Gilles, 17, said he sees himself as a corporate lawyer when he pictures the future. At least those were his plans before participating in the second Summer STEAM Boot Camp at Florida Polytechnic University, designed for first-generation-in-college and low-income high school students in Polk County. “Normally I shy away from engineering and physics because I’m not that strong

Prepare today for hurricane season

June 5, 2019

The Atlantic hurricane season is just getting started, and Florida Poly wants to make sure you’re ready. Preparing now will make it easier to handle potentially treacherous conditions as the first named storms of the year begin forming. Taking simple steps today can prevent stress, worry, and dangerous conditions if a hurricane strikes our area. The following tips and links

Cracking the code to success

June 4, 2019

When Jonathan Gan attended the Florida Poly Career and Internship Fair last February, he wanted to see what kinds of opportunities were available to students, but he didn’t expect employers to take much interest in a sophomore like him. However, his creativity and his passion for learning sparked the interest of a leading software company in Tampa, Florida. Gan, 20,

Florida Polytechnic University professor chosen to join elite international fellowship for female STEM leaders

May 31, 2019

Dr. Grisselle Centeno is making history by becoming the first Florida Polytechnic University professor and one of two first ever in the state to be selected for the prominent and competitive Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) program. ELATES at Drexel® University is a prestigious fellowship designed to advance senior women faculty in academic STEM (science, technology,

Florida Polytechnic University research to help citrus industry with faster cheaper greening detection

May 23, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University researchers have developed a new cutting-edge technology that aims to simplify and make more affordable the detection of citrus greening in groves throughout Florida and beyond. “Citrus greening has posed a terrible threat to crops locally and worldwide as it has no cure,” said Dr. Muhammad R. Abid, assistant professor of computer science and

Florida ranked No. 1 in Higher Education rankings from U.S. News & World Report

May 20, 2019

For the third consecutive year, Florida has been named the No. 1 state in the country for higher education by U.S. News & World Report. Florida Poly is the 12th and newest of the state universities in Florida, and the only university dedicated exclusively to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. The rankings are based on a variety of

Future electrical engineer pursues Olympic dreams

May 16, 2019

Bruce Hicks has his eyes on Paris. The 2024 Summer Olympic Games, that is. This Florida Polytechnic University sophomore has been successfully competing in archery competitions across the state for more than five years. Now, he divides his energy between his goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and the dream of becoming an Olympic athlete. “During my

Rocket dreams come true for Florida Polytechnic University junior

May 14, 2019

Geoffrey Doback has no doubts of where he wants his career ambitions to take him. The Florida Polytechnic University student has been captivated by aviation and the so-called next frontier ever since he was a young boy. “My first experience with aviation was at an air show when I was 7 years old. I was obsessed after that,” said Doback.

New partnership gives Florida Polytechnic University students access to new career opportunities

May 8, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla.– For the first time, Florida Polytechnic University will have a presence at the annual Statewide Job Fair, one of the largest career events in the state focused on the recruitment of graduates and alumni from Florida’s public universities. This years’ event will be held Wednesday, May 8 at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. The job