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.
A pair of Florida Polytechnic University students have developed innovative new technology to keep newly discharged patients out of the hospital. They recently advanced to the final round of a statewide healthcare competition. Megan Morano and Ethan Medjuck were finalists in the highly competitive Florida Blue Health Innovation Challenge. The annual contest seeks solutions for real healthcare problems from the
A Florida Polytechnic University assistant professor and a senior computer science student have been selected by the Fulbright Program for prestigious academic appointments. Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, chair of Florida Poly’s Department of Natural Sciences, was selected to the Fulbright Specialist Program. The effort allows overseas universities, cultural centers, and other institutions to develop collaborative projects with leading U.S. academic professionals.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, was selected for the second consecutive year as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders. Florida Trend magazine just released its annual Florida 500 list recognizing the state’s top executives in a variety of economic sectors and industries. “I am honored to receive this recognition once again, as
Florida Polytechnic University engineering and computer science students with stellar grades, involvement, and character are now eligible for selection to the new Mu Omega Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) academic honor society. This is Florida Poly’s first academic honor society, recognizing students who excel academically and among their peers. “Eta Kappa Nu
Florida has been the epicenter of the U.S. aerospace industry for decades. Families have built traditions around watching the historic launch of space shuttles and rockets from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Many children grew up looking at the sky in awe of a rocket disappearing as it goes into orbit. This week is National Aerospace Week,
After only six years in existence, Florida Polytechnic University made its first appearance in the national rankings of the prestigious U.S News and World Report as a top 75 engineering college without a doctorate degree. In its national ranking debut, Florida Poly breaks out at 72 among more than 230 undergraduate engineering colleges without a Ph.D., and in the top
Two Florida Polytechnic University students are getting a high-flying look at an industry that plays a major role Florida’s high-tech future. And the opportunity will surely shape their professional future as well. Senior Krystal Rivera and junior Andre Archer are completing an internship at Draken International in Lakeland, Florida, the leading company in adversary air service in the world. Both
Florida Polytechnic University students working on their capstone senior design projects received a lesson in successful project management from an expert in the field on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Justin Denham, a modern service management consultant at tech giant Microsoft, volunteered to lead a series of virtual lectures to help these students improve the way they move forward with their projects.
Life after graduation can be scary in the era of COVID-19. The novel coronavirus has severely affected the current job market with hiring freezes, limited recruitment, and major layoffs across many industries. However, it is a challenge Florida Polytechnic University students are prepared to face as they graduate equipped with a highly desirable STEM degree. Pairris Jones, associate director of
Students will have to venture no farther than the Oak Grove and the Florida Polytechnic University soccer field to find fun and exciting events this Labor Day weekend. Purple Fire Weekends, which began at the start of the fall semester, culminate Sept. 4-6 with events designed to bring students together and promote fun, friendship, and fitness. All activities will take
A summer internship with multinational software company Red Hat turned into a long-term remote work position for Florida Polytechnic University senior Isabel Zimmerman. “It is such a good experience and the team I work with is so much fun and so willing to share their knowledge,” said Zimmerman, who is majoring in data science with a concentration quantitative economics. “They
Dear students, Labor Day weekend is upon us and we know you’re all eager to enjoy a few days away from class. As the leaders of the University and the Student Government Association, we’ve both been very impressed by how each of you has embraced the new normal and prioritized COVID-19 health precautions, recognizing them as central to our success
