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.
After an academic year stymied by COVID-19 restrictions and limits on in-person events, the Florida Polytechnic University Student Government Association (SGA) is ready to go big in the coming academic year. New SGA leaders recently were elected, including executive board members Samantha Ashby, president; Antonio Hendricks, vice president; Victoria Correa Andrade, chief of staff; and Jake Greenberg, treasurer. “This past
LAKELAND, Fla. – A scholarship program, supporting talented students in achieving their technology-fueled goals at Florida Polytechnic University, received a significant boost from the family of one of the school’s first and biggest advocates. The John R. Alexander Scholars Program honors the legacy of one of the University’s most ardent and earliest supporters. Alexander passed away in 2018. “John was
The computer engineering degree sophomore Widler Noel is pursuing at Florida Polytechnic University is a world away from the computer education he received as a young student in Haiti. “We had computer class, but we had no computers. It was all theory,” said Noel, an international student from Ouanaminthe, Haiti. “When I moved here, it was different. I had to
Dedicated, motivated students with a passion for supporting their University are ready to take on the job of advancing the success of Florida Polytechnic University as the 2021-2022 cohort of Presidential Ambassadors. The new group includes six returning students and eight new ambassadors. Students selected to the group must apply to the program and complete an extensive interview process. The
As a project engineer with Albireo Energy, Mehgan O’Connor ’18 is getting to make her mark on Florida Polytechnic University in a way that is unrivaled by the rest of her graduating class. O’Connor is playing a major role as a controls engineer in the construction of the sleek, new Applied Research Center (ARC) on campus. “I did the controls
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University celebrated the graduation of its classes of 2020 and 2021 on Sunday, May 2, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The long-awaited in-person commencement ceremony marked the culmination of four years of hard work for more than 325 graduates who earned high-demand STEM degrees. “This really means a lot to me,” said Daniel
Jace Cooper ’21 set his sights on an early college degree while he was still a student at Palmetto High School in Palmetto, Florida. With discipline, determination, and hard work, Cooper racked up college credits while still in high school and pressed forward with the same enthusiasm toward his mechanical engineering degree from Florida Polytechnic University, earning the bachelor’s degree
Just off Interstate 4 near the Florida Polytechnic University campus, a group of students is working to ensure a long stretch of road remains clean and reflects the University’s commitment to the community. The Mu Omega Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) academic honor society at Florida Poly has joined the Florida Department
Dozens of Florida Polytechnic University seniors presented their impressive, high-tech projects at the annual Capstone Design Showcase on Friday, April 23. With more than 40 projects on display, the event was the largest in the University’s history. Interdisciplinary teams of students worked throughout the academic year to solve real-world challenges faced by industry partners of all sizes. Project sponsors included companies such
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University will offer the state’s first bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity engineering beginning in the fall 2021 semester. The degree was recently approved by the State University System’s Board of Governors. The need for professionals in the cybersecurity field in the state is critical. CyberSeek, an online resource that tracks supply and demand in the cybersecurity
When Isabela Rangel ’21 receives her bachelor’s degree in computer science this May, she will be ready to charge toward the next chapter of her life, pursuing a career in project management. The graduate of West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, has been active on campus during her time at Florida Polytechnic University participating in organizations such as
Innovative, student-designed video games were showcased to the world on April 23 at the semi-annual student Game Expo at Florida Polytechnic University. For the first time, the expo featured a server that allowed viewers across the internet to log in and play networked student games with one another. “It’s always been a dream to have world-facing games,” said Dr. Bradford Towle, chair
