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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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Florida Polytechnic University students pitch Great Eight entrepreneurship ideas

March 18, 2019

It was a tense afternoon of pitching innovative ideas to a panel of academic and industry experts at Florida Polytechnic University as the third annual Great Eight competition took place at the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building. The event mimics the popular television show “Shark Tank” where students present their concepts before a panel of judges, with the winner advancing

Florida Polytechnic University Foundation board member honored in the Philippines

March 15, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University Foundation board member and top retinal specialist Dr. Michael Tolentino was recognized in his native Philippines for his outstanding achievements in the field of medical research. Tolentino received the Excellence Award by the American Association of the Philippines during the recent annual George Washington Charity Ball in Makati City, Philippines. Tolentino has a remarkable

Florida Polytechnic University unveils plans for state-of-the-art research building

March 13, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla.– Florida Polytechnic University announced plans to build another iconic building on its campus that will serve as a research hub for the Central Florida region, becoming a magnet for high-tech development around the school. The final details and renderings of the project were presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, March 13. The 85,000 square foot

A passion for numbers that transcends all possibilities

March 12, 2019

When Florida Polytechnic University student Isabel Zimmermann was in elementary school, she never imagined her professional future would be defined by math. After all, she struggled with it. “I remember in second grade I had to stay in from recess because I couldn’t understand how to subtract,” said Zimmermann, a sophomore who is majoring in data science with a concentration

More than just a degree for this Florida Polytechnic University alum

March 8, 2019

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series of feature stories highlighting female students and faculty as Florida Poly celebrates Women’s History Month. She grew up in Chicago and went to an all-girls school specializing in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics). Now, Megan Sheeran ’18 is a member of the growing community of Florida Polytechnic University alumni.

Florida Polytechnic University formalizes Fulbright Australia pact

March 7, 2019

CANBERRA, Australia – Officials from Florida Polytechnic University and the Australian-American Fulbright Commission (Fulbright Australia) formalized an agreement at a ceremonial signing, March 1, at the U.S. Embassy in the Australian capital of Canberra. The agreement allows the University to begin accepting graduate students and faculty from Australia beginning in the fall of 2019. Florida Poly President Randy K. Avent

Tradition continues strong with Florida Polytechnic University Pi Run

March 1, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is ready to celebrate its 5thAnnual Florida Poly Pi Run, scheduled for Saturday, March 16. The event was created by the University’s inaugural class and it’s scheduled each year on or near National Pi Day, which is observed March 14. The race is slightly longer than a 5K, exactly 3.14 miles representing the mathematical

Florida Polytechnic University students hack their way to number one at statewide hackathon

February 21, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, Florida Polytechnic University won first place at the well-known HackRiddle competition, a 24-hour hackathon held annually at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event brought together more than 200 college students from across Florida to compete in front of judges, mentors, and industry leaders. Florida Poly students took first place out

Florida Polytechnic University Career and Internship Fair reaches new heights

February 20, 2019

Florida Polytechnic University hosted its Career and Internship Fair, Tuesday, Feb. 19, at its Innovation, Science, and Technology Building. More than 50 companies were on hand recruiting students for internships as well as career positions. The turnout of prospective employers set a new high for the annual event. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who came out today,” said Dr.

Florida Polytechnic University students help voice emotions for those who can’t

February 7, 2019

Florida Polytechnic University students and a Tampa technology company are developing a mobile app that could help those with brain-based language impediments to express their emotions. This includes people with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, aphasia, those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or stroke, and many other language-impaired conditions. The app, called OiGO–which comes from the Spanish word

Florida Polytechnic University program styling students for success

February 5, 2019

One of the most stressful moments for college students is interviewing with prospective employers. The question and answer session may only last a few minutes, but there’s much more that goes into preparing for that big moment. That’s why Florida Polytechnic University is offering its students a comprehensive program to provide the expert advice they need in topics ranging from

Florida Polytechnic University administration and faculty union reach historic agreement

January 31, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – After 18 months of intense negotiations, Florida Polytechnic University announced that its administration and the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) Florida Poly chapter have signed a collective bargaining agreement. This is the first formal agreement between the University and the faculty union, which approved it unanimously on Jan. 16. “We are very pleased with the outcome of