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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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Update for students on fall 2020 plans

June 19, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. Florida Poly Students, The Florida Poly Blueprint for Returning to Campus was delivered to all students last week. This message provides some key summary details. Fall 2020 courses will begin on Thursday, August 20. This is FIVE DAYS

Florida Poly and Rep. Burton donate thousands of masks to Lakeland nonprofits

June 18, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University partnered with State Rep. Colleen Burton to donate 10,000 face masks to multiple local nonprofit organizations to help them continue their essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The masks were donated to VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly), LVIM (Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine), Talbot House Ministries, and AFI (Alliance for Independence). Representatives of the organizations met

New University website experience keeps Florida Poly on the cutting edge

June 17, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University has launched a totally new website experience dedicated to offering all users an easy and effective way to get the information they need and want. “In addition to a brand-new design that showcases the spirit and culture of the Florida Poly community, the new website greatly improves the user experience,” said Laura Neff-Henderson, Florida Poly’s director of

Speaker series connects students with senior Microsoft leaders

June 16, 2020

Mentorship made all the difference to Microsoft senior consultant Adam McCullough when he underwent an abrupt career shift about 10 years ago. After his job at Kennedy Space Center ended and he found himself repairing computers for Lockheed Martin, McCullough befriended colleague Garrison Thompson and the two built a lasting mentor relationship. “Garrison changed my life,” McCullough said to a

COVID-19 calls mechanical engineering student to help with crucial testing

June 10, 2020

While her Florida Polytechnic University peers were studying for finals and adjusting to remote education this spring, mechanical engineering major Spc. Brooke Smith’s unit with the Florida Army National Guard was activated to help with COVID-19 testing in Jacksonville, Florida. “It was good to see how everyone came together,” Smith said, from Lakeland, Florida. “We got to our mission and

Scholarship named for departing Trustee creates opportunity for African American students

June 4, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – A new scholarship named for Florida Polytechnic University Trustee Frank T. Martin is designed to provide more opportunity to African American students and help them achieve their STEM career ambitions. The Frank T. Martin Single Year Scholarship was established through the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) to support African American students pursuing a degree in engineering, transportation,

Alum helps sustain restaurants amid COVID-19

June 1, 2020

When the emergence of COVID-19 led to overnight changes in the restaurant industry, Florida Polytechnic University alum Matthew Giallourakis and his family sprang into action. Giallourakis ’18, M. Eng. ’20 is head of logistics and process automation for mobile software company Loyal Cast. The Palm Harbor, Florida, business was co-founded by Giallourakis’ father, Anthony Giallourakis, and brother, Michael Giallourakis, to

Florida Poly working to move forward during COVID-19

May 28, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University is carefully and deliberately exploring the most effective strategies to move the University forward as our nation continues to grapple with a new normal in the face of COVID-19. Florida Poly has been steadily working on a plan to resume on-campus operations this fall. It will be presented during a June 23 meeting of the Florida Board

New SGA leadership working to support students through COVID-19 and beyond

May 27, 2020

The Florida Polytechnic University Student Government Association boasts a large number of first-time members and leaders as it heads into the fall 2020 semester. The new leadership is spending the summer months planning and working to improve student representation, support, and engagement. However, the circumstances they’re working under couldn’t be more different than typical years due to COVID-19. “The biggest

University leaders begin planning for students, employees to return to campus

May 21, 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’re doing well and are continuing to stay healthy during this time. As you know, several dedicated teams have begun conversations and the necessary work to determine the best way for Florida Poly to operate

’20 Florida Poly alum springboards to dream career in cybersecurity

May 18, 2020

The work Bryan Urias ’20 does as an information security analyst for tech start-up JustProtect is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. And he couldn’t be happier. “This has been amazing,” Urias said. “It’s been really cool seeing all the things I learned in school apply to the real world.” JustProtect, based in Tampa, Florida, helps businesses

Internship blooms into programming career for 2020 Florida Poly grad

May 15, 2020

Editor’s note: While COVID-19 has caused Florida Polytechnic University to shift to remote instruction through the summer and reschedule our commencement ceremony, the hard work of our graduating seniors continues. This feature is part of a series of stories highlighting and honoring our 2020 graduates. One of the first times Daniel Rentfro laid his hands on a computer was when