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.
Hackathons are a way of life at Florida Polytechnic University. The Programming Club is making sure students from all majors have the tools they need to join in and succeed at its upcoming Code of the Phoenix Mini Hackathon on July 25. The club is hosting virtual workshops throughout the month of July on topics such as the basics of
Materials science professors, researchers, and students from around the globe convened online recently for the International Webinar on Materials Synthesis and Characterization 2020, hosted jointly by Florida Polytechnic University and Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University in India. “The international scientific community learned about current trends and need-of-the-hour technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, and 3D
The work senior Alexis Downing is doing as an intern with Argonne National Laboratory, a world-class science and engineering research center, will pave the way for a successful future in research. Downing is completing a remote Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) with the national lab located in Lemont, Illinois. She is working on its Muon g-2 experiment, which is measuring
When the COVID-19 crisis began, Sam Trappen ’18 knew his work helping ensure the health of medically fragile patients was going to be more critical than ever. As a device evaluator at Baxter Healthcare in Largo, Florida, Trappen assesses the functioning of peritoneal dialysis equipment to help patients throughout the United States who are living with kidney failure. While the
Microsoft is lending its expertise to Florida Polytechnic University esports tournaments, boosting both their reach and reputation. The University is working with James Lamb, a gaming expert at Microsoft in Orlando, Florida. Lamb managed a League of Legends tournament on June 24 and will also run a Rocket League 3v3 tournament on July 8. “I’m ecstatic about this,” said Tonya
Restrictions on in-person gatherings won’t stop incoming freshmen and transfer students from getting to know the Florida Polytechnic University campus and way of life before their first day of classes this fall. New student orientation, which typically brings hundreds of students together to learn about the University while making connections with their peers, shifted to an online environment this year
A persistent voice urging Lavendar Phan not to settle pushed her to chart her own course to professional success. Unafraid to pivot and try something new, Phan has gone from governmental consultant to Google account executive in 10 short years, discovering new strengths and passions along the way. Phan shared her story with the Florida Polytechnic University community during the
LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees has a new chair. Trustee Cliff Otto, former CEO of Saddle Creek Logistics Services, has been named chair for a two-year term. Trustee Mark Bostick will serve as vice chair. Otto recently retired from Saddle Creek Logistics Services, a renowned supply chain solutions company based in Lakeland. He was first
Florida Polytechnic University students, faculty, and staff are ready for one of the school’s most popular traditions, and this time the action goes virtual. The annual Florida Poly Pi Run, which traditionally takes place on March 14 to celebrate the mathematical constant of pi, was delayed as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of on-campus events this spring. Although the original date
A bolder, more energized Florida Polytechnic University Phoenix was unveiled on June 26, culminating a thoughtful design process that incorporated student opinions and guidance. “The moment I saw the design, all I could say was ‘wow’ because it truly represents Florida Poly and its students,” said sophomore Maggie Delgado, who is majoring in business analytics. “I absolutely love the new
Senior Alan Longfellow is spending the summer gaining valuable real-world research experience that will help fuel his aerospace dreams. Longfellow, who is majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in advanced topics, is completing a summer internship with Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, chair of Florida Polytechnic University’s Department of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with Global Clean Diesel, which is based in
LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department is scheduled for a compliance assessment as part of an effort to achieve law enforcement accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards administered by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations,
