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.
With the advanced technology of today’s rockets and jet engines, these powerful devices require metal parts that are stronger than ever. An engineering professor at Florida Polytechnic University has received a National Science Foundation grant to research the durability and longevity of the critical metals now used in these ever-changing machines. Dr. Sanna Siddiqui, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at
Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked the number one public college in the Southern region of the United States by U.S. News and World Report. It is Florida Poly’s first appearance on that list. In its 2022 Best Colleges list, U.S. News and World Report ranks Florida Poly third among all top colleges in the Southern United States, including public
Mark Ellis was only in kindergarten when he picked up a Nintendo GameCube controller and discovered a technology that would shape his life. He embraced the world of Lego Star Wars and soon dove headfirst into new and exciting games every chance he could get. Sunday, Sept. 12, is Video Games Day, and Ellis will likely spend part of the
As hurricane season nears its peak on Sept. 10 and the National Hurricane Center continues monitoring potential storm systems in the Atlantic, it’s important for everyone at Florida Polytechnic University to make sure they are prepared. September is National Preparedness Month, and the annual campaign encourages all Americans to prepare for disasters and other emergencies through the end of hurricane
The Florida Board of Governors has given the green light to a public-private partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and Fortune 500 company International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) during its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Florida International University. The Board’s approval of the affiliation agreement is an important milestone in a project that could potentially bring the first high-tech industry
An effort to shift chemistry lab practices and reduce the amount of hazardous waste produced during the completion of student lab experiments has won Florida Polytechnic University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) a national award for innovation. Dr. Scott Wallen, chemistry lab staff in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the University, and the team received the 2021 Innovation –
With an agenda that includes strengthening student organizations, increasing student resources, and helping the University community move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha Ashby has hit the ground running in her new position as Student Government Association president at Florida Polytechnic University. “Right now, the big focus is coming back after a year of being partially online because of COVID,” said
Phoenixes seeking to satisfy a craving for tasty, healthy food are finding a pleasant slate of updates across the Florida Polytechnic University campus. The most prominent of these is the Fire + Ash: Concepts Reborn, a new dining venue inside the Wellness Center that offers a specialized, in-demand menu for several weeks before transitioning to a different food concept. The
The fall 2021 class of incoming students is the largest in Florida Polytechnic University’s history with more than 625 new students joining the University from an applicant pool of almost 2,000. Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost for enrollment at the University, said the robust student enrollment was the result of Florida Poly’s growing reputation in higher education as well
When Rikkote Benfele made his way across Florida Polytechnic University’s campus on the first day of class on Tuesday, Aug. 24, he said he knew he’d made the right decision when it came to choosing a college. “My first day has been amazing and people are so nice here,” said Benfele, a freshman majoring in computer engineering. Benfele stopped by
New and returning Florida Polytechnic University students took part in busy move-in and orientation activities on campus on Aug. 21-23 just before classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 24. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m also excited,” said Zoe McClanahan, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Covington, Virginia, who moved into the residence halls over the weekend. “I chose Florida Poly for the
Presidential Ambassadors, orientation leaders, peer health educators, education assistants, and other student leaders at Florida Polytechnic University are gaining a deep understanding of leadership skills and techniques during the inaugural Florida Poly U Lead student leadership initiative. U Lead works to help guide, educate, and support students in leadership roles across campus. The weeklong initiative began on Monday, Aug. 16
