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.
A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.
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
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
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
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 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 Polytechnic University’s continuing streak of successes was celebrated by Dr. Randy K. Avent, University president, in Florida Politics. From Florida Poly’s No. 1 ranking in U.S. News and World Report to the University’s progress on developing a high-tech research park around campus, the University is on a roll. Read the story.
Michael Petry is a world away from his hometown of Karlsruhe, Germany, but he says he’s exactly where he needs to be. Petry is a Fulbright Scholar pursuing a master’s degree in engineering on an electrical engineering track at Florida Polytechnic University. “The main focus of my studies here is research in the field of optical fibers with Dr. Md
Armed with bags of parts, general directions, and a lot of enthusiasm, nearly 400 Florida Polytechnic University freshmen got to work building and coding a functional robotic arm during the first Career Design course hackathon on Friday, Oct. 15. Teams of three to four students were given five hours to assemble, wire, and program the robotic arm to grab and
Florida Polytechnic University continues to stand out as it maintains its No. 3 ranking within the State University System for offering a top-notch education at an affordable price, according to WalletHub’s 2022’s Best Universities Ranking. The University also ranked No. 4 among all higher education institutions in Florida. Nationally, Florida Poly ranked No. 10 for best cost and financing, and
A new and excited Florida Polytechnic University Women’s Club Soccer team has taken the field and is ready to take on the competition. The team began coming together in the spring, championed by an effort from business analytics sophomore Madi Yonash. She played the sport her entire life and while she considered playing at the NCAA level, Yonash decided to
Alex Whitworth is having the college experience he always wanted at Florida Polytechnic University. He’s involved in multiple organizations, plays lacrosse, works in the admissions office, and is taking courses that challenge and inspire him. “I’m the type of person to go above and beyond,” said Whitworth, a junior majoring in computer science with a concentration in game development and
When introducing students to electrical and computer engineering, Dr. Bruce Jacob has an eye-catching visual aid that grabs their attention. “I walk out with an electric guitar, point to the front, and say, ‘This is electrical engineering.’ There’s a powerful inductor, which is a type of antenna that’s good at picking up disturbances in magnetic fields and it produces a
As the new chair of Florida Polytechnic University’s Department of Applied Mathematics, Dr. Michael Brilleslyper is working on a formula to elevate the department to the next level. “The idea is that applied mathematicians are versatile,” said Brilleslyper, who joined the University this summer after a 21-year career at the Air Force Academy. “Students with an applied mathematics skillset can
Only seven months after playing its first game, the Florida Polytechnic University Men’s Lacrosse team has been accepted into the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) and the group’s SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC). Now that Florida Poly is in the MCLA and SELC, it will play against teams from institutions such as the University of Florida, The Citadel, University of South
Ryan Sobolewski donned his sharpest business wear and set out to impress the recruiting representatives from high-tech companies looking for team members at the Fall 2021 Career and Internship Fair at Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Oct. 7. Although he was eager to meet with many of the companies present, Sobolewski had his heart set on making a connection with
Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been recognized as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders for the third consecutive year by Florida Trend magazine. The publication released its annual Florida 500 list on Monday, Oct. 4, highlighting the state’s top leaders in several economic sectors. “I am honored to receive this distinction because it reflects
Florida Polytechnic University students will welcome their families to campus this Saturday, Sept. 25, at the annual Phoenix Family Day. The annual event is one of the University’s proudest traditions. In addition to offering students a chance to show their loved ones around campus, families will have an opportunity to learn about the resources available to Florida Poly students and
