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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 computer engineering program in top 25 in the nation for affordability

August 12, 2021

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked as No. 25 in the United States among the 100 most affordable computer engineering programs by University HQ, an independent educational organization. With low in-state tuition and a robust program, Florida Poly’s computer engineering program ranks ahead of institutions such as the University of Central Florida, Tennessee State University, and the

Phoenix takes flight in fast-paced Amazon internship

August 4, 2021

Ricardo Kenzo Ota’s summer internship at one of the world’s largest tech companies is opening his eyes to a world of possibilities. The Florida Polytechnic University senior is spending his summer working as a software developer intern at Amazon’s world headquarters in Seattle, Washington. “When I found out that I was selected, I felt like I was dreaming,” said Ota,

Florida Poly named to global list of top 10 analytics institutes

July 29, 2021

Florida Polytechnic University’s Data Science and Business Analytics Department has been named to an international list of the 10 Most Prominent Analytics Institutes 2021 by Analytics Insight Magazine. Florida Poly was listed alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, and Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia, Canada. “This is a big honor to

Phoenix puts her skills to the test in engineering internship

July 28, 2021

Florida Polytechnic University senior Skylar Rupert is making the most of every educational and professional opportunity available to her this summer as a mechanical intern at TLC Engineering Solutions in Fort Myers, Florida. “At Florida Poly, we work in teams for projects,” said Rupert, from Port Charlotte, Florida. “Working at TLC has made me feel like part of a team

State University System letter to students

July 27, 2021

State University System Students: We are excited to welcome you to our campuses next month! To help us provide high-quality classes, student services, extracurricular activities, and athletic programs in a healthy environment, we strongly recommend that all students get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus before arriving on campus. Since the onset of the pandemic, our successes are a result of

Lifelong pursuit of adventure, speed fuels President Avent’s dirt bike racing

July 26, 2021

Thick Florida wildland with steep, muddy slopes and rough, rocky terrain is the perfect setting for Dr. Randy K. Avent to strap on his helmet and indulge in his lifelong passion. The Florida Polytechnic University president often meets up with alumni, students, and friends to conquer the woods and tracks of Florida from the perch of his high-powered dirt bike,

NSF research experience readies Phoenix for graduate school success

July 20, 2021

A summer research internship experience is allowing Florida Polytechnic University senior Andre Archer to gain close-up, real-world insight into the field of computational mechanics, a specialized area that he would like to pursue as a career. “It is the overlap between mechanical engineering, computer science, materials science, and even chemistry,” Archer said. “It’s really interesting and exactly what I want

Students’ solar-powered drone idea takes flight

July 16, 2021

A team of Florida Polytechnic University students is working to transform the common hobby drone into a solar-powered craft that can remain continuously aloft throughout the daylight hours. “On a bright, sunny day, it should gather enough energy from its solar panels that it can be charging up the battery while it’s gliding through the air.” said Spencer Bishop, a

NSF research experience puts Phoenix on path to high-tech, entrepreneurial future

July 7, 2021

As part of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates, Florida Polytechnic University junior Jabari Acre is spending the summer working on improving stereolithography (SLA) though the use of the two-photon absorption phenomena at the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. The advanced technology allows users to produce complex, three-dimensional structures with nanoscale resolutions through the use of

Tropical Storm Elsa Updates

July 5, 2021

Updated July 5, 1:45 p.m. Florida Poly is closely watching the trajectory of Tropical Storm Elsa as it approaches the state of Florida. At this time, all University operations will continue as normal. However, we know things can change quickly and the safety of our University community is always our top priority. If there are any changes regarding the path

Phoenix harnesses social media data in machine learning internship

June 29, 2021

A summer internship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is allowing Florida Polytechnic University senior Nicole Ely to use machine learning to gain a better understanding of data shared on Twitter. Ely, who is majoring in data science with a concentration in big data analytics, is working with the Tennessee university’s computational biology program to use the machine learning

Alumna flying high in Lockheed Martin engineering career

June 23, 2021

As a software engineer associate at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and an on-air technology podcast host, Daniele Mendez ’19 is fulfilling her dreams and pursuing passions for engineering and journalism. Mendez received her bachelor’s degree in computer science from Florida Polytechnic University in 2019 and joined the aerospace, defense, and technology giant soon after. “I work for the F-35 ALIS program,