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.
Renowned Florida entrepreneur Tom E. Wallace has been named commencement speaker for Florida Polytechnic University’s spring 2020 graduation on May 3. Wallace said he’s excited with this new role because the University is exactly what the state was lacking to elevate its tech potential to the likes of Silicon Valley. “I’ve been involved in building the technology ecosystem of the
A student-led effort to express support for Florida Polytechnic University and opposition to a proposed merger with the University of Florida transformed the serene Oak Grove into a setting of boisterous unity on Tuesday, Feb. 25. “We are making a stand today to show that Florida Poly is unique and has a great education system with hands-on, project-based learning and
Freshman Timothy Honeycutt strode up to a kiosk in the center of the Saddle Creek Logistics Commons on Feb. 24 to grab a cupcake and officially declare electrical engineering as his major during Florida Polytechnic University’s first Degree Declaration Day. For Honeycutt, the declaration was a long time coming. “I studied a bunch of circuit stuff on my own time
Fifty companies gathered at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland this week for the annual spring career fair, looking to fill countless positions with the high-tech, high-skilled talent Florida Polytechnic University produces. “We have many employers who started with us back in 2016, when we had only 13 companies here, and many return to campus yearly seeking more
CEOs, owners, and other business leaders from five Latin American countries explored the Florida Polytechnic University campus and learned tools to improve their corporate operations on Feb. 14 as part of Experiencia Set. The initiative partners with The Walt Disney Company to provide a close-up look at how the company operates effectively while providing exceptional service to its customers. The
Pruning Florida’s towering palm trees is a tough, dangerous job, but a team of Florida Polytechnic University seniors is working to make the task faster, safer, and more cost effective. “From the ground, you have to be careful that the palm fronds don’t fall on you, and some have spines that can puncture you on the way down,” said James
A group of Florida Polytechnic University students seized the opportunity to network with business leaders, learn about career possibilities, and teach the Central Florida business community about what Florida Poly has to offer at an annual event hosted by Synapse, an entrepreneurship support organization. The students attended the two-day Synapse Summit at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 12-13.
Student entrepreneurs showed off their big ideas to a panel of Florida business leaders Feb. 10 during the first Florida Polytechnic University and eMerge Americas Startup Pitch Night in Lakeland, Florida, at the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building. Dorian Alberti, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, and River Anderson, a senior majoring in business analytics, pitched their idea for the
The knowledge that cancer eventually touches everyone in some way drives a group of Florida Polytechnic University students to do all they can to raise money and awareness to battle the disease. “One of my friends passed away from cancer so I wanted to start this organization to bring light to the disease and help other people who might be
Students hoping to present a polished image to interviewers browsed through racks of donated professional clothing during Florida Polytechnic University’s annual Career Services Clothing Rack event on Feb. 5 at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland, Florida. They tried on and took home the donated attire at no charge. “The minimum requirement for a good interview is to
For Andre Ripley ’19, Facebook provides much more than a way to stay connected to friends and family. The social media and technology company is giving him a chance at a lucrative career and success as a tech entrepreneur. Ripley, who graduated from Florida Polytechnic University with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, was awarded a $120,000 partnership deal with
Students interested in learning an innovative way to make solving a complex mathematical problem faster and easier crowded into the Aula Magna at Florida Polytechnic University on Jan. 31. Dr. Udita Katugampola, an assistant professor of mathematics, shared with the students a fast and nontraditional approach he has developed to find the eigenvector of a matrix. He explained how his
