
Game On: Florida Poly opens new Esports Arena
Florida Polytechnic University unveiled a new, state-of-the-art esports arena on Friday, Feb. 13, giving its 14 teams a premier place to practice, compete and host battles in today’s top esports games.

Florida Polytechnic University unveiled a new, state-of-the-art esports arena on Friday, Feb. 13, giving its 14 teams a premier place to practice, compete and host battles in today’s top esports games.

Students with enterprising aspirations crowded into the Barnett Applied Research Center at Florida Polytechnic University on Tuesday, Feb. 3, to hear directly from prominent tech entrepreneur Todd Baylis.

Florida Polytechnic University’s undergraduate data science degree program has been ranked No. 9 in the nation by TechGuide.org for 2026, placing it among prestigious institutions in the top 10 such as Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Duke University.

Transitioning between cultures, educational expectations, and even changes in the weather is redefining the college experience for two students participating in the prestigious Killam Fellowships Program this academic year at Florida Polytechnic University.

Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence education at Florida Polytechnic University is receiving a major boost with $2.9 million in federal funding for the creation of its Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory (PSAIL).

As artificial intelligence reshapes the global technology landscape, STEM educators must be more vigilant than ever to keep their students’ skills at the cutting edge. A $500,000 grant from Google is supporting Florida Polytechnic University faculty as they work to make that happen.
Ecieno Carmona, Mechanical Engineering Mentor: Dr. Sesha Srinivasan This project looks for ways to maximize the effects of UV-visible light to break down the organic contaminants in waste water. A series of 3D printed batch reactors have been designed and successfully commissioned that have act as a shield against the UV light and protect the eyes of the lab personnel.
Geoffrey Doback, Mechanical Engineering Nathaniel Florer, Computer Science Mentor: Dr. Melba Horton Frustules (Silica wall) of the diatom Thalassiosira oestrupii were researched for their capability to capture and store methane gas. Zinc chloride has ability to bond to one of the carbon-hydrogen bonds in methane. Methods of doping the frustules composed of silicon dioxide were explored using the zinc chloride,
Mohammad Bharmal, Science in Innovation and Technology Master Program Mentor: Dr. Muhammad Ullah Scientists and engineers have been striving for over a century to obtain nearly perfect fetal and maternal electrocardiography (ECG) signals out of a feto-maternal ECG complex at low cost. Noise, interference and artifacts make feto-maternal ECG complex hard to analyze precisely and accurately for diagnosis of cardiac
Sean Cloud, Mechanical Engineering Mentor: Dr. Melba Horton The mass production of diatom species for engineering applications is unique compared to other forms of algae, where the diatom’s yield is directly proportional to the surface area available for growth. This offers unique challenges regarding the types of systems that must be constructed for effectively growing diatoms cultures. These containers require
Brian Gray, Mechanical Engineering Mentor: Dr. Melba Horton The search for viable alternatives to fossil fuels is a hot topic worldwide with biofuel being one possible solution. This study seeks to determine the viability of using diatoms found locally from the lakes of Polk County. Diatoms are known for their porous silica shells that are explored for various technological applications.
Jephté Douyon, Science in Engineering Master Program Mentor: Dr. Sesha Srinivasan and Dr. Scott Wallen This project aims to study the physicochemical characteristics and examine the utility of advanced oxidation processes to decontaminate municipal landfill leachate (water percolated through the waste). Many studies have revealed the pollution risk of the leachate and its potential for ground water contamination. Therefore, it
LAKELAND, Fla.–Several Florida Polytechnic University graduate and undergraduate students were recognized this year with the Hays Travel Award, given by the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) Council. The award enables students to present their research projects at the upcoming FAS annual conference on March 9 at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. “This award is significant because students have
Groundbreaking research is happening at Florida Poly thanks to students who can access the University’s state-of-the-art labs because of philanthropic support. Rabeet Fatmi, now graduated, converted motions of American Sign Language into speech. When completed, the deaf and hearing impaired will be able to converse with anyone using just a pair of armbands and a smartphone. “There are a lot
Students at Florida Poly earn more than a degree. They gain hands-on training for jobs that impact your daily life. Like the lights in your house, for instance. Maya Wilson knows firsthand what it takes to keep the people of Tampa Bay supplied with power. She doesn’t drive a truck or climb poles, but her behind-the-scenes job at Tampa Electric
The president of Florida Polytechnic University, Dr. Randy K. Avent, was invited to testify at the Senate hearing on autonomous vehicles hosted by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The hearing entitled “Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies” will be held on Wednesday Jan. 24, starting at 10 a.m. in Washington D.C. Watch real-time starting at 10 a.m. The
Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, will play a meaningful role in advancing high-tech economic growth in our region as the new member of The Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The Corridor is an economic initiative that stretches across 23 counties, with the purpose of developing a stronger high-tech industry through partnerships that support research, marketing, entrepreneurship
For the first time, students from Florida Polytechnic University will get the opportunity to share their research with state lawmakers as part of the third annual Florida Poly Day in Tallahassee. The event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16, starting at 8:30 a.m. on the third floor of the rotunda in the State Capitol. Nearly 50 students and leaders