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

Flying High: The Next to Evolve Technology

October 28, 2016

Research at Florida Poly is probing how to program a group of drones to respond to a single command post. For example, five drones under the direction of one pilot could fly a rigid grid pattern or fly in concentric rings around a target area. The end goal is to mount them with sensitive cameras that carry night vision capabilities

Students Prototype Unlocks Industry Cost Savings

October 24, 2016

An innovative project from Florida Polytechnic University students could potentially save hospitals significant investment by re-engineering a device that measures vibration, dust, noise and differences in air pressure during hospital construction projects. The existing Skanska USA inSite monitor typically costs $6,000, and in some cases more. Florida Poly created a hardware prototype for use in their student laboratory with $300

Florida Polytechnic University Growth Requires More Space for Research

October 18, 2016

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent presented to the State University System Board of Governors today plans for the new university’s next major campus development – an Applied Research Center (ARC). The ARC will unite students, faculty and industry partners in the pursuit of cutting-edge research to advance technology and catalyze economic growth in Florida. “With more

World-Changers: The Next To Give Back

October 12, 2016

“Making the world a better place” is more than a cliché for Carl-Edwin Rigaud and his twin brother, Marc-Edwin Riguad. The Florida Poly juniors grew up in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and a frequent target for natural disasters. Most recently, Hurricane Matthew swept through the country, killing more than 1,000 people. In 2010, the country was

Dr. Terry Parker Serves as Provost at Florida Polytechnic University

October 12, 2016

As Provost of Florida Polytechnic University, Dr. Terry Parker oversees all aspects of the academic experience, from recruiting students and steering curriculum, to hiring professors and securing research grants amid Florida Poly’s growth. Parker most recently served as the Provost and Executive Vice President of the Colorado School of Mines, one of the world’s leading engineering institutions focused on applied

Tech Leaders Discuss Entrepreneurship Disruptive Tech at Florida Polytechnic Universitys First In-Person #STEMTalks

September 30, 2016

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University today held its first in-person #STEMTalks event titled “Disrupting Markets, One Person – or Fingerprint – at a Time,” with a keynote by Co-founder and CEO of K4Connect F. Scott Moody, one of the founders behind the fingerprint sensor technology used in many Apple products. The event at Florida Poly’s Innovation, Science and Technology (IST)

FDOT Announces Partnership with Florida Polytechnic University to Develop SunTrax Test Facility

September 26, 2016

Tallahassee – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jim Boxold today announced a long-term partnership between FDOT and Florida Polytechnic University to construct the new, state-of-the-art transportation technology testing facility, SunTrax. The creation of this facility will establish Florida as a transportation technology leader and create a high-tech hub for the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies related to

Logistically Speaking: The Next To Go Full-Time

September 19, 2016

Matt Edwards admits with a grin that he’s “a bit of a perfectionist.” So it’s not a surprise he chose a career in logistics. “If you can find a job that suits your personality, that’s what you need to pursue,” Matt says. Now in his junior year at Florida Polytechnic University, Matt, of Bartow, Fla., is taking his own advice.

Free Clinics Impact Grows with Students Help

September 15, 2016

A medical clinic for low-income families can serve the community more efficiently and explore new funding options thanks to the work of two Florida Polytechnic University students. The Haley Center in Winter Haven, Fla., provides free primary health care to qualified residents in Polk County. It’s a critical service in a county where an estimated 20 percent of the population

Florida Polytechnic University’s Board of Trustees Chairman Joins Prominent Transportation Association Hall of Fame

September 14, 2016

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees Chairman, Frank T. Martin, has been inducted in the 2016 American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Hall of Fame. The APTA Awards Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring individuals who have long and distinguished careers in the transportation industry and have made extraordinary contributions to public transportation over the years. The

Florida Polytechnic University Employees Admitted to Leadership Programs

September 9, 2016

Two prestigious leadership development programs have selected Florida Polytechnic University employees for upcoming classes. Mary Church, assistant director of development, has been admitted to Leadership Tampa Bay. Jessica Throckmorton, government relations and external affairs coordinator, was selected for Leadership Orlando. “I am excited to be part of an elite group of leaders from the Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas and Pasco counties,”

Founder Behind Cutting-Edge Fingerprint Technology to Speak at Florida Polytechnic University

August 31, 2016

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is pleased to feature Co-founder and CEO of K4Connect, F. Scott Moody, as keynote speaker at its industry partnership and thought leadership event on September 30. Moody is best known as the co-founder and former chairman/CEO of AuthenTec, a leading provider of fingerprint sensor technology, which was acquired by Apple in 2012. The AuthenTec fingerprint