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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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International scientific community converges virtually at Florida Poly

July 16, 2020

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

National lab internship immerses student in real-world research

July 13, 2020

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

Mechanical engineering alum does critical work during COVID-19

July 8, 2020

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 esports collaboration boosts Florida Poly gaming tournaments

July 6, 2020

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

Virtual orientation to give new Phoenixes a soaring start

July 2, 2020

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

Google account executive shares path to success with Florida Poly students

July 1, 2020

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

Former Saddle Creek CEO named Florida Poly Board of Trustees chair

June 30, 2020

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

6th annual Florida Poly Pi Run goes virtual for July 4 weekend

June 29, 2020

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

New Phoenix rises into existence at Florida Poly

June 26, 2020

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

Internship fuels student’s passion for engineering

June 25, 2020

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

Compliance assessment for CFA law enforcement accreditation

June 24, 2020

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,

University ready to restart vibrant campus life

June 23, 2020

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Tuesday, the Florida Board of Governors approved Florida Polytechnic University’s plan for resuming its on-campus operations in the fall. The Blueprint for Returning to Campus details the steps the University is taking to provide a healthy environment for students, faculty, and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to deliver a high-quality STEM education. The plan