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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 Police build safety through community

January 8, 2021

With a commitment to campus safety and a friendly attitude, the Florida Polytechnic University Police Department prides itself on connecting with students and building relationships with those they serve and protect. “In traditional law enforcement, you may not get to know the true meaning of community policing,” said Chief Richard Holland, who previously worked at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Professor’s research featured in WHO COVID-19 database

January 5, 2021

Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, assistant professor of chemistry at Florida Polytechnic University, joined scientists around the world in shifting his attention in 2020 toward addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaushik published several scientific papers in 2020 and 2021 that explore the use of nanomedicine, biosensors, and artificial intelligence to diagnose and combat COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has added nine of

Wrap up 2022 with these top 10 stories

December 30, 2020

So many big things happened for Florida Polytechnic University in 2022. We launched degrees, opened the long-awaited Applied Research Center, and saw the return of a beloved campus tradition. The students, faculty, and staff at Florida Poly worked hard to make possible all of the achievements of the past year. As we look ahead, 2023 is poised to be better

Phoenix earns national archery ranking and advances Olympic goals

December 17, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University junior Bruce Hicks has taken a giant step toward achieving his goal of representing the United States in the 2024 Olympic Games in archery. The electrical engineering major recently was ranked 48th in the country in men’s archery, his first time achieving top national ranking. “Last year I ranked around 135 and this year I’m 48, which

Rashid listed among top 2% of world’s leading scientists

December 17, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University professor Dr. Muhammad Rashid has been listed among the top 2% of scientists in a global list compiled by Stanford University. At number 617, Rashid was ranked in the top 1% of the 87,611 scientists in his field of electronics and electrical engineering in the study. “Sometimes, the freshman class is asked to interview

COVID-19-inspired app to help patients communicate through gaze tracking

December 16, 2020

As the number of intubated COVID-19 patients began increasing across the country this spring, an employee at Lakeland Regional Health whose family member was ill with the disease realized there was a need to make communication easier between these patients and the medical professionals caring for them. A capstone senior design team of computer science majors at Florida Polytechnic University

Annual Florida Poly toy drive brings cheer to Lakeland pediatric patients

December 14, 2020

The holiday season will be a little brighter for pediatric patients at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. The Florida Polytechnic University community once again rallied behind an effort of the University’s Police Department to donate toys to children who are hospitalized and may need some extra cheer. “It’s our tradition to give back to the community we serve,” said Florida

Florida Poly cements partnership with prestigious Brazilian university

December 7, 2020

A new agreement between Florida Polytechnic University and the prestigious Centro Universitário Facens in Brazil promises to help both institutions expand their work and advance technological and economic success. Florida Poly and Facens have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in research activities. The initial collaboration will focus on data science and business analytics projects, but the future of

Florida Poly named top 5 tech university in the South

December 4, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has been named one of the five best universities in the Southern states for tech students by Deep South Magazine. Florida Poly, the only public university in Florida exclusively dedicated to STEM, shares the top 5 spotlight with renowned institutions like Georgia Tech and the University of South Carolina. The University was also recently

Florida Poly announces state’s first undergraduate Health Systems Engineering concentration

December 1, 2020

Students with a love of STEM and an interest in health care can prepare for a career that prioritizes both with Florida Polytechnic University’s new Health Systems Engineering (HSE) program. The program launched in fall 2020 offers the only undergraduate-level concentration of its kind in the state. “Anyone who is frustrated with the current health care state and who would

Florida Poly builds first pipeline to elite US Navy officer program

November 24, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is paving the way for ambitious, patriotic students to earn their STEM degree before continuing on to serve their county in a notable career as high-tech officer in the U.S. Navy. The Florida Poly Nuclear Propulsion Pipeline Program provides science-minded students with financial support and military guidance as they prepare to enter the Naval

Bright future is on deck for 2018 alum and Navy officer

October 27, 2020

When Peter Moran ’18 joined the Navy in 2019, his thoughts were of his grandfather who served in the Marine Corps during World War II. “I wanted to continue that legacy and do my part for my country,” said Moran, who now is a supply corps officer and the hazardous materials officer on USS John C. Stennis, a nuclear-powered supercarrier