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.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is pleased to feature Co-founder and CEO of K4Connect, F. Scott Moody, as keynote speaker at its industry partnership and thought leadership event on September 30. Moody is best known as the co-founder and former chairman/CEO of AuthenTec, a leading provider of fingerprint sensor technology, which was acquired by Apple in 2012. The AuthenTec fingerprint
Tova Jones relies on more than books to gain knowledge. Sure, classroom instruction at Florida Polytechnic University has given this sophomore greater understanding of science and technology. But nothing can replace the real-world experience that comes from internships and networking. Some past events Tova has attended include a weeklong Women’s Business Enterprise National Council conference and Emory University’s INROADS Leadership Summit.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University will soon break ground on a new and vastly expanded, state-of-the-art wellness and aquatics center on campus, helping students match the rigors of their classroom academics with the value of health and fitness. The yet-to-be-named facility will be shaped like a phoenix, the Florida Poly mascot, and include a range of facilities for strength,
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University starts its third academic year on Monday, August 22, welcoming more than 1,300 students – a record high enrollment for Florida’s newest university and more than double the university’s 2014 opening enrollment. The incoming class at Florida Poly has an average GPA of 3.8 and an average SAT score of 1734. Florida Poly has
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s iconic Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building in Lakeland now ranks as one of the 16 “most breathtaking” buildings in the world, according to a survey of architects, placing it alongside iconic structures such as the Parthenon in Greece, the Empire State Building and Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” residence. Business Insider’s “Tech Insider” magazine surveyed 16 prominent
Karla Martinez plans to go toe-to-toe with terrorism after college. “I have a strong sense of patriotism, so national defense is big for me,” Karla explains. “I want to pair that with the challenge of cyber security.” Getting that dream job at the Department of Homeland Security isn’t going to happen overnight, but Karla is taking steps to get there.
The role is reserved for senior students, but rising junior Michelle Culbert not only persuaded Lockheed Martin to give her the internship, she also became the first Florida Polytechnic University student to earn a position there. It hasn’t taken long to prove her value. Every month, the Lockheed Martin payroll facility in Lakeland creates metrics reports of vendors and suppliers.
Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Terry Parker as Provost for Florida Poly, effective September 1. Parker is a long-time academic leader and engineering researcher who most recently served as Provost and Executive Vice President of the Colorado School of Mines, one of the world’s leading engineering institutions focused on
While studying how materials handle stress, Logan Chambers has proven himself capable of bearing heavy workloads. This summer, the Florida Polytechnic University rising junior is taking a class, working jobs at Subway and in the school’s IT department and has an internship with the Port of Tampa Bay. Logan started his internship May 16, and it hasn’t taken long for
At first glance, Port Tampa Bay doesn’t appear to be much more than an elaborate rail yard jutting into Hillsborough Bay. But “when you peel the onion away, so to speak, you find there’s technology at every level that’s critical to running a complex, working port,” says Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson. Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port
LAKELAND, Fla. – This summer, dozens of students at Florida Polytechnic University are fanning out across the country to intern with some of the largest and most high-tech companies, solving real-world challenges and building their path to full-time employment. A total of 64 Florida Poly students have secured internships with dozens of companies such as Coca-Cola, General Electric, Lockheed Martin,
Florida Polytechnic University is pleased to recognize one of its prominent Foundation Board members, Dr. Sijo Parekattil, Co-Director of the PUR clinic, for completing a remarkable cross-country “Drive for Men’s Health” road trip, raising awareness of men’s health issues. Their trip also helped raise financial support for men’s health research and the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation, which supports scholarships and the
