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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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Native Brazilian student shares experiences studying abroad at Florida Polytechnic University

November 14, 2018

Editor’s Note: In recognition of International Education Week 2018 (Nov. 12-16), this story is part of a series of stories highlighting international students at Florida Poly. Bianca Silva ’21 is a computer engineering major from Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil. Belo Horizonte, which means “Beautiful Horizon” in Brazilian Portuguese, is the capital city of southeastern Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. Why did you

Army veteran now helps keep Florida Polytechnic University safe

November 11, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University police officer Phillip Youngs always goes into a mission with a game plan to survive. He’s not easily scared, and being disciplined has been instrumental to his success in life. These are all traits he says he acquired while serving in the United States Army. “Some of the things you learn in the military you’re able to

Florida Polytechnic University professor makes math meaningful for students

November 9, 2018

Editor’s Note: At Florida Poly, we’re 100 percent STEM so it’s only natural that we’re turning National STEM Day 2018 (Nov. 8) into a weeklong celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Abigail Bowers knew at a young age she had a connection to math, and her passion for the power of math has not wavered. Bowers is in her

Florida Polytechnic University research could lead to lasting impacts on space travel

November 7, 2018

Editor’s Note: At Florida Poly, we’re 100 percent STEM so it’s only natural that we’re turning National STEM Day 2018 (Nov. 8) into a weeklong celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Florida Polytechnic University researchers are exploring ways of using algae to make space travel more sustainable and energy efficient. The research project, funded by the NASA Florida Space

Capstone design program pairs students with dozens of regional companies in year-long projects

November 6, 2018

Editor’s Note: At Florida Poly, we’re 100 percent STEM so it’s only natural that we’re turning National STEM Day 2018 (Nov. 8) into a weeklong celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Monday’s focus was science, and today we explore technology. One of the many ways Florida Polytechnic University fulfills its mission – to serve students and industry through excellence

From Brazil to Florida Polytechnic University: Using his passion for computer science to fulfill his purpose

November 5, 2018

Editor’s Note: At Florida Poly, we’re 100 percent STEM so it’s only natural that we’re turning National STEM Day 2018 (Nov. 8) into a weeklong celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Up first is a focus on the “science” in STEM. The idea of going back to school after spending more than two decades in the workforce can be

Creating a bridge between chess and STEM

November 2, 2018

Dr. Muhammad Rashid compares higher education to what a blank piece of paper looks like after you hand it to an artist with a pen. For most of his life, the Florida Polytechnic University professor has marveled at how pursuing a degree can begin transforming a student from the time he or she first steps on a college campus. He’s

From Monster Jamming to Napercising: Fitness made fun at Florida Polytechnic University

October 31, 2018

A fitness instructor dressed in ’80s workout attire took the lead at a Monster Jam Cardio Class at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Oct. 29. Students came in costumes ranging from lifeguards to anime characters and enjoyed dancing to popular songs like Rihanna’s “Disturbia” and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse.” “It’s the first time we’ve offered a Halloween group fitness class

Florida Polytechnic University leads effort to stop mobile device hackers

October 30, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla.–Students at Florida Polytechnic University may soon be at the forefront of cybersecurity education with cutting edge curriculum focused exclusively on mobile computing security. Dr. Karim Elish, assistant professor in the computer science department, has been awarded a $70,500 grant from the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to develop an evolving course on mobile security and privacy. The curriculum will

A Dream Fulfilled | Alumni

October 26, 2018

If he had it do over again, Luke Aiello ’18 wouldn’t have made any other choice. The Florida Polytechnic University graduate speaks glowingly of his four years at the University and how well it positioned him for the workforce. “I was surprised at how prepared I felt when I started my job,” said Aiello. “I’ve heard that from other alumni,

Students developing innovative ways to improve mental health

October 25, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University students are developing high-tech solutions they hope will provide others with a unique way to cope with anxiety and depression, and three of their projects were finalists at the recent statewide Florida Blue Health Innovation Competition in Orlando. The team of Jordan Douglass, Michael Jernigan and Chelsea Reeves won third place with SynapCare, a cloud-based platform designed

Florida Polytechnic University to add Fulbright Australia to international partnerships

October 19, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has reached an agreement with the Australian-American Fulbright Commission (Fulbright Australia) to begin accepting graduate students and professors beginning in the fall of 2019. “This is a tremendous accomplishment signifying our continued commitment to academic excellence,” said Dr. Terry Parker, Florida Poly’s provost and executive vice president. “Being able to attract some of the