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Colombian National Team coach brings World Cup experience to Florida Poly soccer players

September 19, 2025

Legendary Colombian soccer coach Nelson Abadía brought his expertise and inspiration to Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Sept. 18, as he observed the men’s and women’s soccer teams in training and shared advice to strengthen their game. “It was unforgettable. Coach Abadía brought so much knowledge, and his presence alone elevated the atmosphere,” said Sebastian Anzola, captain of Florida Poly’s

Florida Poly professor’s powerful new tool brings higher accuracy to nuclear physics

September 15, 2025

Dr. Ian Bentley, chair of the Department of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, developed a new machine learning model to improve predictions of nuclear binding energies.

Students face off in epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle

September 12, 2025

A “zombie infection” overtook Florida Polytechnic University during the week of Sept. 8, slowly spreading from three infected students to nearly all the players in a campuswide Humans vs. Zombies Nerf dart battle.

Expert panel explores phosphate mining and its impacts

September 10, 2025

A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.

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

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Student-created video games draw big crowds

December 6, 2021

For the first time in two years, the Florida Polytechnic University Fall Game EXPO returned to in-person gameplay on Saturday, Dec. 4, energizing student game developers and attracting hundreds of game-loving high schoolers to campus. Sophomore computer science major Ryan Celentano’s game was one of 23 that were showcased at the event. He created the game “Deja Drift” with two classmates, displaying

Autonomous car arrives at Florida Poly to enhance research at new facility

November 30, 2021

Researchers at Florida Polytechnic University’s Advanced Mobility Institute are beginning a new phase in their work on autonomous vehicle testing and verification. The research is shifting gears from software to hardware testing at a new simulation facility on campus, funded in part by a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The centerpiece of the project – a tricked-out, autonomous Ford Fusion

Capstone design team brings bionic physical therapy machine to life

November 29, 2021

Physical therapist Mike Ryan had a bright idea to improve his industry, so he turned to Florida Polytechnic University students to make his dream of a bionic physical therapy machine a reality. An interdisciplinary team of seven capstone students is now working to modernize a machine that it can be set to apply different amounts of pressure to specific parts

Thanksgiving holiday campus services and closures

November 23, 2021

Florida Poly wishes the entire University community a happy Thanksgiving. As students and employees reflect on what they’re thankful for, it’s important to remember there will be no classes from Wednesday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Nov. 26. Classes will resume on Monday, Nov. 29. The list below outlines closures and services available through the Thanksgiving holiday. Phoenix Dining Wellness Center

Florida Poly grows international opportunities with Fulbright Spain pact

November 22, 2021

Florida Polytechnic University has signed an agreement with the U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission to expand educational opportunities for American and Spanish scholars. The memorandum of understanding allows teaching and research faculty from Spain to further their work at Florida Poly. Additionally, these senior scholars will work with University faculty members and engage with students in lectures, discussions, and other formats. Dr.

Inaugural Impact Summit and Presidential Speaker Series take flight

November 17, 2021

Business and community leaders joined Florida Polytechnic University leadership, faculty, students, and alumni on Tuesday, Nov. 16, to discuss the state of cybersecurity during the inaugural Florida Poly Impact Summit and Presidential Speaker Series. The event, hosted by the University’s Corporate Impact Network, is the latest effort by Florida Poly’s Office of Advancement to deepen the strong connections between the University and its

Alum builds his future as burgeoning tech entrepreneur

November 16, 2021

Florida Poly inventor embraces innovation this National Entrepreneurs Day Doran Alberti ’20 is determined to make a difference in the world. The award-winning Florida Polytechnic University alumnus has founded Alberti Revolutionary Creations, or ARC LLC, to advance the progress of technologies aimed at making life better. “If you can believe that you can do something, there’s nothing stopping you except

International master’s student flourishes at Florida Poly

November 15, 2021

Somayeh Sadeghizadeh, an international student from Iran, is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering on an engineering management track at Florida Polytechnic University. Graduate student Somayeh Sadeghizadeh is no stranger to going after what she wants. The international student from Tehran, Iran, holds a master’s degree in urban management, and enjoyed a 10-year career working in sales and marketing in

Florida Poly police sergeant unwavering in her service

November 10, 2021

Sgt. Leonard reflects on her military career this Veterans Day As a teen growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Florida Polytechnic University Police Sgt. Jeannette Leonard knew military service was her way to a better future. “I saw the same people standing on the corners and selling drugs in our parks day in and day out,” she said. “I

Twin software engineers carve path together at global fintech leader

November 8, 2021

Identical twins Carl-Edwin and Marc-Edwin Rigaud have a bond that can’t be broken. The Florida Polytechnic University alumni have spent their entire lives side by side, and now as software engineers at FIS Global in St. Petersburg, Florida, their path continues – together. The Rigaud brothers grew up in Haiti, moving to Florida during their senior year of high school.

New research on hydrophobic insects could improve future of robotics

November 4, 2021

The natural adaptations that enable tiny, water-walking insects to withstand the assault of torrential rainstorms could one day make the leap to advances in biomimetic robots thanks to research by a Florida Polytechnic University professor. Dr. Daren Watson, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is studying the ways water striders can withstand raindrops. Water striders are tiny insects that live on

First-generation scholars driven to exceed expectations

November 3, 2021

Florida Polytechnic University students Ahna Cecil and Justin Sanchez know firsthand that being the first in a family to pursue higher education comes with special responsibilities to do well and be successful. “It’s a lot of pressure, but I never looked at it as if I fail, all will go wrong,” said Sanchez, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering. “I