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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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Integral Bee Starts New Tradition at Florida Polytechnic University

April 26, 2017

Move over spellers. The math whizzes are here. Florida Poly recently hosted its first Integral Bee, a friendly competition among students to determine who can best solve the math problems known as integrals. Organizers say the inaugural competition was an outstanding success and poised to become a tradition at Florida Poly. “The students did great and had a lot of

Recap: Top Moments from the Drones #STEMTalks Event

April 25, 2017

On April 12th, Florida Polytechnic University hosted its fourth #STEMTalks of the 2016-2017 academic year. The virtual event titled, “Drones: Changing Your Perspective,” consisted of a panel of drone experts with experience in recreational, commercial and military drone use. Ryan English, president and co-founder of Tampa-based FLYMOTION Unmanned Systems, spoke about FLYMOTION’s involvement in drone technology. FLYMOTION provides unmanned systems

Students Win Big at State Competitions

April 20, 2017

Florida Poly inventions and business plans took home top prizes at recent state competitions. Ten universities from across the state were represented at the Governor’s Cup in Tallahassee from March 30-31. The Governor’s Cup is an entrepreneurial competition hosted by the Roundtable of Entrepreneurship Educators of Florida (REEF). The top three teams received start-up funding for their concepts. The Florida

Fourth Bio Expo Wraps With Award Ceremony

April 19, 2017

An innovative idea for creating nylon from shrimp shells was among the winners of Florida Polytechnic University’s fourth Bio Expo. The Expo is one of the longest standing traditions at Florida Poly, and an introduction for new students to the university’s belief in tying all classes — including core requirements — back to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). “The

Florida Polytechnic University students visit State Capitol for ‘Florida Polytechnic University Day’

April 5, 2017

Nearly 50 Florida Polytechnic University students and leaders filled the Florida State Capitol on Tuesday for “Florida Poly Day.” The annual event focuses on promoting the future of research and innovation at the state’s only university dedicated exclusively to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This year’s visit included one-on-one meetings with legislators to discuss the university’s mission, applied research

Students Present Ways to Cut Emergency Room Wait Time

March 30, 2017

The wait time in an emergency room can sometimes feel like an eternity, especially if you’re in pain. So what’s the solution? Two Florida Polytechnic University students think they have the answer. It’s called MELP, or Medical Expertise Location and Performance, a play on the popular website and app, Yelp. Instead of users ranking businesses and restaurants, though, doctors and

Hot Topic: The Next to Reimagine Energy

March 30, 2017

Think about how much heat builds up inside an attic on a summer day. Now, convert that heat into a source of energy and you’ve got the basis for Michael Jernigan’s latest invention. It’s called “HeatRise,” and it harnesses differences in temperatures to power a light source. For Michael, a sophomore from Winter Haven studying electrical engineering, it’s validation of

Universities rally for critical student success and research initiatives

March 29, 2017

Joined by police chiefs, mental health counselors, medical school deans, and student leaders, the Board of Governors and presidents from all 12 of Florida’s public universities came together on Wednesday to rally support for additional mental health counselors and law enforcement officers, raising the State University System’s research profile, and rewarding university performance. The rally marked the kick-off of the

Florida Polytechnic University Jedi Academy and Lightsaber Training Club

March 24, 2017

“High block, low block, mid-block,” calls instructor Rich Ganey, as the students behind him sweep their lightsabers into each position. Minutes later, the students are paired off into sparring groups and the clack of their training lightsabers echo across the lawn. Welcome to the Jedi Academy at Florida Polytechnic University. “This is a martial arts club centered on the training

Florida Polytechnic University Launches First International Conference with Panjab University in India

March 21, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is pleased to announce its first international conference hosted in partnership with Panjab University in Chandigarh, India. The conference will take place at Panjab University April 20-22, 2017, and will bring various experts together to discuss Green Chemistry/Engineering and Technologies (GCET) for sustainable development. The purpose of the event is to provide a forum

Florida Polytechnic University Hosts 2017 Florida Academy of Sciences Conference

March 13, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University this weekend hosted the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) 2017 Annual Conference at the Innovation, Science and Technology Building. Faculty, post-doctoral research fellows, graduate and undergraduate students came together to exchange new scientific discoveries and recognize significant breakthroughs that are building the development and economy of Florida. During the two-day conference, attendees from across

Nine Students Earn Recognition at Florida Academy of Sciences

March 9, 2017

Nine Florida Polytechnic University students took home awards for their presentations at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS). The annual meeting brings together students and industry professionals from across the state to present their research in a wide variety of disciplines. This year’s meeting was held from March 10-11 at Florida Poly. Florida Poly students were