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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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U.S. DOL Secretary Alexander Acosta Visits

July 19, 2017

Developing the next wave of Florida’s high-tech business leaders was the focus of U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta’s visit Friday to Florida Polytechnic University. The visit included a meeting between University leadership and the Secretary to discuss Florida Poly’s unique approach to high-tech higher education, the creation of highly skilled jobs and the impact on the economy. The Secretary

What Florida Polytechnic University Can Offer Students: A Conversation with Richy

July 14, 2017

I’m Richy Truncale, admissions counselor at Florida Poly covering the greater Tampa Bay area. I’ve worked for Florida Poly since July, spending most of my time on the road visiting high schools and speaking with students about the opportunities available at Florida Poly. I visit about 10 to 12 schools a week, speaking with counselors and answering questions prospective students

Innovative Toaster Wins Students Hackathon Prize

July 11, 2017

You’ve heard of smart phones and smart cars. But how about a smart toaster? A team of Florida Polytechnic University students have developed a prototype toaster that delivers a perfectly toasted piece of bread every time. The project was creative enough to snag third place at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s recent Hackriddle. “It was an exciting end to the weekend,” says

Mosquito Busters: The Next to Tackle Disease

July 1, 2017

Zika virus, meet your match. A pair of Florida Polytechnic University students are researching a method for eliminating mosquitoes without the use of chemicals or hurting other insects. Their weapon is an audible frequency that disturbs a fine-tuned sensory organ called scolopidia. Scolopidia are ordinarily used to detect predators like an incoming dragonfly, but a small scale test has shown

Florida Polytechnic University Granted Initial Regional Accreditation

June 26, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University was granted initial regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a significant milestone the University has diligently worked toward since its founding. This decision means future Florida Poly graduates, and those who graduated earlier this year, will have a degree from

Florida Polytechnic University Hosts First International Conferences

May 22, 2017

Researchers from as far away as Australia and China were represented this weekend as Florida Polytechnic University hosted its first international conferences. The 2017 International Conference on Computing and Data Analysis and International Conference on Computing and Data Analysis brought together over 40 researchers representing a dozen countries to share their research on topics including data analysis, machine learning and

Florida Polytechnic University Seals Partnership with Fulbright Canada

May 11, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University and the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (Fulbright Canada) have formed a partnership bringing new educational opportunities for students and professors. The partnership establishes Killam Fellowships, as well as a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at Florida Poly – creating study abroad programs, research exchanges, and teaching opportunities

International Agreement Opens Up Research Opportunity

May 10, 2017

Florida Polytechnic University students can develop and research green technology in one of the fastest growing countries in the world thanks to a newly signed agreement with Panjab University in India. The agreement opens up a talent exchange between the universities, allowing selected professors and students to collaborate and take advantage of world-class research facilities. A memorandum of understanding was

Hospital Network Target of Cyber Security Competition

May 5, 2017

The Medical Offensive Security Competition was a student-led event that combined the concentrations of Health Informatics and Cyber Security. Electronic healthcare records and medical devices, like other computer systems, are vulnerable to security breaches that impact the safety and treatment of patients. Drs. Susan LeFrancois and Kanwalinderjit Gagneja joined forces with students, Max Farrell, Alexander Fronteddu and Jonah Loctar to

Students Take Home $14500 in Prize Money

May 3, 2017

Florida Polytechnic University students earned almost $15,000 in prize money this semester with their innovative ideas and inventions. The most recent prize was through SlingShot Polk, an event presented by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. The competition is divided into three age categories: middle school; high school; and college and entrepreneurs under 30. Florida Poly students were the sole representatives

StrikeSense: The Next To Revolutionize Sports

May 2, 2017

Jenario Johnson has an invention he thinks is a knockout. It’s called StrikeSense, and it answers a problem the Florida Poly junior noticed in his martial arts classes. Two instructors teaching a class of 20 couldn’t accurately keep track of a student’s individual progress. StrikeSense uses an accelerometer to measure in real time the velocity and power of punches and

Florida Polytechnic University celebrates second commencement

April 28, 2017

Editor’s Note: View the most recent senior profiles featuring several of Florida Poly’s CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATES. LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University held its second-ever graduation during a spring commencement ceremony on campus Friday. Twenty-four students, including four who will finish courses over the summer, received degrees in either Innovation and Technology, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical