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.
Florida Polytechnic University Professor of Data Analytics Dr. Robert Steele delivered a keynote speech at the 8th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics and Mobile Communication Conference (IEEE UEMCON 2017), on October 21 at Columbia University in New York. Fellow keynote speakers included other distinguished experts in analytics and computational systems from organizations including Columbia University,
Florida drivers may soon be safer on the road thanks to Dr. Christina Drake, Assistant Professor of Electrical, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at Florida Poly. Her research interests – which include novel materials and sensors based on meta-material-based approaches; low-cost imagers and sensors; and biologically inspired or incorporated sensors and platforms – have already propelled her to four provisional patents. Now, she’s
Foreign policy melded with STEM when a Florida Polytechnic University student traveled to Canada for an exclusive program hosted by Fulbright Canada. Michael Jernigan was one of just 20 students selected from across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the Fulbright Canada Youth Institute on Canada in the World. The weeklong program in late September featured cultural experiences, lectures
Florida Polytechnic University students heard firsthand Thursday how an ambitious teenager launched a business from his parents’ basement that today processes $14 billion in credit card payments. Students hungry for advice on starting their own business got their fill as Jared Isaacman outlined for an hour the lessons he learned on the way to becoming a three-time finalist for Ernst
Technology is weaved into everything at Florida Polytechnic University — including the food. The Wellness Center on campus recently debuted a hydroponic herb garden that grows vertically on the wall behind one of the food stations. The garden was built and is maintained by Seed2Source, a Central Florida consulting firm that promotes sustainable solutions for agriculture. “I saw how far
Updated at 5:05 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 13 We are currently in recovery mode on campus, but want to provide an important update. We have not had power until this morning in the IST or the Wellness Center, and we are under limited operations at this point. STUDENTS: Please do not report to campus until Saturday at the earliest but Sunday is preferable.
A Florida Polytechnic University professor had a direct impact last week on forecasting Hurricane Harvey’s devastating path through south Texas. Dr. Suleiman Alsweiss was a scientist at the Center for Satellite Applications and Research, part of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), prior to joining Florida Poly as a professor of Electrical Engineering. When the tropical depression swirling in
“Downtime” isn’t a word in the vocabulary of most Florida Polytechnic University students. That was certainly the case with Damon Plyler, Nick Fauble and Blake Taunton, three students who found themselves with two empty weeks after wrapping up summer classes. Instead of taking it easy, the trio dove headfirst into a project to launch a weather balloon during last week’s
Getting to Mars takes more than rockets. Hundreds of people are working on the logistics of sending astronauts to the red planet, from staying fit to entertainment on the long ride. Among them is Florida Poly rising Junior Payton Barnwell, who spent the summer testing the optimal conditions to grow plants in space. It’s familiar territory for Payton, who is
Celeste Ramirez is building worlds. More specifically, she’s developing the world of Deadwood, a video game in development from Steamroller Studios in Eustis, Fla. Steamroller Studios is a full-service programming, concept art and animation studio, with a team who has worked on games like Rise of the Tomb Raider, Worms W.M.D. and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Celeste, a rising Junior
LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation, Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation for scholarships. The funds will be directed towards the University’s competitive scholarship program to provide financial support to qualified students. The Duke Energy Foundation grants are dedicated to enhancing educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), childhood reading
The fourth annual Drive for Men’s Health kicked off Monday morning with a check presentation to boost scholarships at Florida Polytechnic University. South Lake Hospital in Orlando was the starting point for a cross-country trip intended to raise awareness about men’s health issues. The first stop on the drive is New Orleans, followed by Houston, Los Angeles and Salt Lake
