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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 inks international partnership with Fulbright Portugal

April 5, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University has formalized an agreement with Fulbright Portugal to provide exceptional educational opportunities between the University and the Southwestern European nation. The partnership means that outstanding Portuguese scholars now will be able to undertake ambitious research endeavors at Florida Poly and work with the University’s faculty and students. The Fulbright Chair Award this agreement establishes is among the

Florida Poly researcher: Scrapping recycling programs ineffective at saving money or environment

April 3, 2023

As municipalities across Florida and the nation scrutinize their recycling programs to decide their future, they may not consider much more than how the program affects their budget’s bottom line. In recent years, several Florida cities have shut down their recycling programs, attributing the decision in large part to the costs of the process now dwarfing its economic benefits. Dr.

Florida Poly breaks ground on third student residential building

March 29, 2023

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is starting construction of its third student residential building to expand its on-campus housing offerings and keep pace with the school’s high demand and enrollment growth. Residence Hall III will be a five-story, 137,000-square-foot dormitory with 430 beds in one-, two- and four-bedroom suites. Its design is focused on sustainability, flexibility, and campus community

Annual Florida PolyCon bringing fandom fun to Lakeland

March 14, 2023

Anime characters, Jedis, and superheroes will pour into the Florida Polytechnic University campus on Saturday, March 18, for Florida PolyCon, a daylong annual community celebration of comics, anime, and all things geek. Up to 2,000 people are expected to attend the seventh annual event, which for the first time ever will include a professional fireworks display. “As students, this is

Florida Poly students designing tiny tech for big hotels

March 9, 2023

Hotels may one day be able to track whether a room is occupied without ever having to knock. A senior capstone design team at Florida Polytechnic University is developing a tiny device that could have big effects on the hotel industry. The students are creating a small sensor to be placed unobtrusively in a room and would be able to tell

Former U.S. ambassador to speak at Florida Poly Commencement

March 6, 2023

Thomas Dougherty, a former U.S. ambassador and Fulbright leader, was announced as Florida Polytechnic University’s 2023 Commencement speaker. He is the Warburg Chair in International Relations at Simmons University in Boston. “It’s such an innovative university and to be there at a time of celebration and commemoration for the type of students at Florida Poly is truly exciting,” Dougherty said.

Florida Poly researchers developing 3D simulator to enhance surgery training

February 28, 2023

Bariatric surgeries have become more and more necessary for thousands of people across the country each year who need medical assistance to combat obesity. Two Florida Polytechnic University professors are working on a highly realistic 3D bariatric procedure simulator to help ensure doctors have the best training possible to perform the surgery. The work is part of a multimillion-dollar grant

Spring break campus services and closures

February 28, 2023

Spring break is here, and students will soon enjoy a restful, weeklong break from class starting on Monday, March 6. Florida Polytechnic University hopes everyone has a safe and fun time and returns to classes on March 13 recharged and ready to tackle the end of the semester. Housing Residence halls will remain open throughout spring break. The Department of

Florida Poly students shine at international math competition

February 21, 2023

Thirteen Florida Polytechnic University students recently earned top honors at a well-respected international math modeling competition. The students competed in the SIMIODE (Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations) Challenge Using Differential Equations (SCUDEM). The online competition tasked teams of three or fewer students to solve one of three open-ended real-world problems by creating a mathematical model

Florida Poly to grow curriculum with two new bachelor’s degrees

February 16, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University is adding to its engineering strength by launching two new bachelor’s degrees for students this fall: civil engineering and industrial engineering. The new degrees were approved by the University’s Board of Trustees at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16. Incoming freshmen soon will be able to enroll in the degree programs for the 2023 fall semester. “We

Students uncover opportunities at 2023 Spring Career and Internship Fair

February 15, 2023

Hundreds of Florida Polytechnic University students gathered at the Applied Research Center to explore exciting career options and meet with representatives from some of Florida’s most well-known companies at the 2023 Spring Career and Internship Fair. Florida Poly attracted more than 60 employers to the event on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Among these were Saddle Creek Logistics Services; Accusoft; Disney Parks,

Student entrepreneurs get their shot at Startup Pitch Night

February 14, 2023

Four teams of Florida Polytechnic University students put their best foot forward at the eMerge Americas and Florida Poly Startup Pitch Night on Monday, Feb. 13. The event brought together student and community entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of judges. Winning teams received $2,500 and were given fast-tracked entrance to the eMerge