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

Florida Polytechnic University students cracking the code to improve cybersecurity

October 17, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University students are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to cybersecurity. Almost 20 of them sit between dozens of computers in the university’s Cybersecurity Innovation Lab, listening to an important lesson about how to crack a password. “We’re doing something scary in class today,” said Dr. Kanwalinderjit Gagneja, who teaches the Digital Forensics course at

Florida Polytechnic University 2.0: A new vision for excellence

October 3, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University officially released Florida Poly 2.0, its blueprint for the future of the University consisting of a five-year strategic plan and the vision for a robust research park adjacent to campus. Titled “Advancing to Excellence,” the strategic plan outlines the academic and economic goals the University will work to attain by the year 2023. One

The force is strong with students at Florida Polytechnic University

September 28, 2018

Bringing her lightsaber to class is a common occurrence for Celeste Ramirez. The computer science junior is one of the first members of The Force Institute, a club created in the spring of 2017 inspired by the Star Wars saga and the Jedi philosophy. “I like to carry my lightsaber around campus. It gives me a way to engage in

3D pen donation provides high-tech solution

September 27, 2018

Thanks to a donation from local e-commerce entrepreneur Josh Ray, hundreds of Florida Polytechnic University students now have access to 3D pens. The pens, which have been allocated to several labs on campus including the physics lab, circuits lab, and 3D printing lab allow users to create three-dimensional shapes from the thin trail of molten plastic that oozes from the

Cutting-edge research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to save babies’ lives

September 25, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Faculty and student researchers at Florida Polytechnic University are developing a breakthrough method that would result in more accurate maternal and fetal electro-cardiogram (ECG) signals, so that babies can be properly treated for cardiac defects diagnosed before birth. Scientists and engineers have been striving for years to obtain nearly perfect fetal and maternal ECG signals out of

Build learn give: the principles of Florida Polytechnic University Purple Fire Robotics Club

September 20, 2018

The Florida Polytechnic University Purple Fire Robotics Club is one of the largest student organizations on campus with approximately 45 active members. They’re all inspired by robots, but students don’t have to be experts in robotics to join the club. Joseph Patullo, a sophomore in computer engineering and vice president of the club, said while many students are fascinated by

Florida Polytechnic University establishes Advanced Mobility Institute

September 18, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University announced the creation of its Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI), a university-affiliated technology research center focused on the development and testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) related technology. AMI is not only unique to the state, but also one of the largest university centers specialized on the narrow area of testing and verification of AV technology

Orlando Tech Association and Orlando Magic host Florida Polytechnic University

September 17, 2018

At the request of the Orlando Regional Tech Association, Florida Polytechnic University President Randy K. Avent had the opportunity to share with area leaders the importance of partnering with the university. The Orlando Magic provided the venue by opening up its Innovation Lab at its corporate headquarters for the August 2018 event. Avent touched upon on how far Florida Poly

Florida Polytechnic University Foundation announces new board members

September 14, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation announces the appointment of four new board members. Phillipa Greenberg, Jack Harrell, III, Michael B. Lawley, and Marlene O’Toole bring solid industry, entrepreneurial and technological expertise to its Board of Directors. Phillipa Greenberg is an early pioneer in commercializing computation. In 2016, she founded Next Machine, a supercomputing firm which brings cluster

Photos: Annual event connects students with community resources

September 13, 2018

At Florida Poly, college life is about much more than going to class and studying for exams. Students are encouraged to get involved on campus, and in the community to make the most of their college experience. A well-rounded college experience also includes getting involved with on-campus clubs and organizations and investing in the community through volunteer activities and internships.

An ultimate Florida Polytechnic University experience

September 12, 2018

Each fall hundreds of Florida Polytechnic University students come together in the Innovation, Science and Technology Building to learn more about the student clubs and organizations available at the university. At this years’ “Club Row” event, going on today and tomorrow, Sept. 12 and 13, more than 40 clubs have displays set up to showcase the way fellow students can

Top Tampa tech company strengthens connection with Florida Polytechnic University

September 6, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Accusoft, a leading document and imaging software company based in Tampa, Florida, has solidified its partnership with Florida Polytechnic University through a gift of an endowed scholarship to help talented students with a financial need to pursue their dreams of a high-tech career. “I tell people all the time the most exciting thing to happen to the