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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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Data science student creates nanoHUB tool to enhance remote education

August 27, 2020

Cindy Nguyen, a senior data science student at Florida Polytechnic University, recently completed an Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) with the Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN) at Purdue University. As part of the URE program, she developed an interactive learning tool for scientific computing and data analysis applications in science and engineering. Nguyen worked with Dr. Reinaldo Sanchez-Arias, an assistant professor

Hybrid Club Row helps students connect and get involved

August 24, 2020

One of the cornerstones of the University experience is involvement in student clubs and organizations. Club Row, an event that connects students with these academic and recreational groups each semester, kicks off on Aug. 24 with both virtual and in-person environments. Students will be able to learn about groups like the archery club; the Force Institute, which blends a love

Presidential Ambassadors adapt, take flight for new academic year

August 21, 2020

As Florida Polytechnic University starts the fall 2020 semester under new guidelines and safety measures due to COVID-19, a group of 12 students is adapting to the changes and ready to take flight as campus leaders. The new class of Presidential Ambassadors just finished a two-day orientation under the theme Flight Academy, in which they completed a series of lectures

Purple Fire Weekends welcome students back to campus

August 20, 2020

Purple Fire Week has become one of Florida Polytechnic University’s most beloved traditions. And although the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the event to embrace some changes this year, it is back and bigger than ever. The fun-filled week has been expanded to Purple Fire Weekends, beginning on Aug. 21 and continuing through Sept. 6. The events feature physically distanced, outdoor,

Student body president gears up for busy and unusual academic year

August 19, 2020

As students return to campus for the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, Connor Coddington is getting ready to tackle far more than a busy course schedule. “It’s definitely an exciting time right now,” said Coddington, Florida Polytechnic University’s new student body president. “There’s a lot going on and I think we’ll probably be able to make a lot of

Move-in begins at Florida Poly with new COVID-19 precautions

August 18, 2020

Juan Forero pulled into the Florida Polytechnic University campus on Aug. 17 eager to settle into his residence hall room and get started on his senior year. The move-in experience was different than in years past, but Forero welcomed the shift – especially now that the world’s focus has changed to minimizing the spread of COVID-19. “I felt very safe

Florida Poly expands student health resources for fall 2020 semester

August 14, 2020

Student health is a critical priority, particularly as the novel coronavirus continues making its way through our communities. Florida Polytechnic University has created an all-new respiratory clinic for the University community and extended the hours of its existing student Health Clinic. The new respiratory clinic, which is staffed by professionals from Lakeland Regional Health, is located in a separate building

University updates aim to minimize COVID-19 spread on campus

August 13, 2020

When students return to Florida Polytechnic University for classes on Aug. 20, they’ll find that the campus has been transformed into an environment that prioritizes physical distancing and other COVID-19 prevention best practices, without sacrificing the rich university experience. “I think we’ve minimized the opportunity to be exposed to COVID-19 and we’ve provided many opportunities for individuals to practice good

Internship crystallizes the future for mechanical engineering student

August 13, 2020

When Blake Cervone was only an eighth-grader in Davie, Florida, he decided a future in engineering was the right path for him. He pursued challenging coursework at College Academy at Broward College and entered Florida Polytechnic University with aspirations for a successful career. Today, the mechanical engineering major is putting his education into practice in an internship with Kamm Consulting

Spring break travel guidance announced

August 10, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. February 27, 5 p.m. Dear faculty and staff, The health and safety of our entire University community is our top priority. As spring break approaches, many of you may have plans to travel throughout the state, the nation,

Research team finds new ways to clean up landfill leachate

August 10, 2020

The clean rainwater that seeps into the mountains of trash at Florida’s landfills mixes with liquids in the waste and absorbs chemicals, toxins, and organic materials before exiting as leachate that can potentially pollute waterways. A team of Florida Polytechnic University researchers is working on developing a method of remediating the contaminants in this liquid through a process of solar

Taking Off: The Next to Create a Hero

August 9, 2020

“Impossible” is a meaningless word at Florida Poly. Dorian Alberti can prove it. Back in 2008, the freshman saw the first Iron Man movie in theater. It was love at first sight. The mechanics, the action, engineering; all of it appealed to him. So he decided to make his own Iron Man suit. The Mark I suit was a clunky