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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

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

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

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

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

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

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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An Octopus Guide to Cybersecurity

There is a lot students can learn about cybersecurity from an octopus. The underwater creatures are masters of mimicking their surroundings to both snag their next meal and stay hidden from predators. There’s an obvious application there for hackers snooping around a network, says Dr. Melba Horton, Assistant Professor of Biology at Florida Polytechnic University. “The whole point for hackers

Florida Polytechnic University Hosts Virtual Event to Introduce New Renewable Energy & Sustainability Course Available Fall 2016

Students at Florida Polytechnic University have an opportunity to sign up for an exclusive new course focused on renewable energy systems and sustainability. Available fall 2016, the course combines fundamental concepts and application with hands-on learning for creating sustainable and renewable energy technologies. Prospective and current students, faculty and the public are invited to learn more during the upcoming spring

Florida Polytechnic University Students Host Second Annual Pi Run to Support Student Scholarships

Florida Polytechnic University students organized and hosted the second annual Florida Poly Pi Run, which featured a scenic 3.14-mile course around the campus and award-winning Innovation, Science and Technology Building. More than 100 runners participated in this year’s race. The annual Pi Run was open to all University students, faculty and employees, as well as the public and helped to

New Applied Research Center at Florida Polytechnic University Approved in Education Budget

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is appropriated $5 million in the State Legislature’s education budget to begin work on a brand new Applied Research Center on its Lakeland campus. The center will house research laboratories, teaching labs, and offices for Florida Poly faculty and students. It will also be the home of the Institute for Technology Entrepreneurship, which will help

Top 5 Sustainability Questions Were Answering at Florida Polytechnic Universitys #STEMTalks

Florida Polytechnic University is hosting its second spring edition of #STEMTalks, a Google+ Hangout, at 7 p.m. on March 24, titled, “The Sustainability Gap: What it Means for Future Generations.” A panel of Florida Poly professors will discuss energy harvesting, storage and delivery as the topic of sustainability becomes increasingly critical. Here are five questions Florida Poly will discuss on

Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board Member Recognized for Entrepreneurial Spirit

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University congratulates Foundation Board Member President of American Compliance Technologies, Inc. (A.C.T.) Rob Kincart for being selected to the 2016 Gator100 fastest growing companies. The Gator100, sponsored by the University of Florida (UF)’s Warrington College of Business and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, recognizes and celebrates the achievements of leading UF alumni entrepreneurs around the world. The Gator100

Internship Fair Benefits Students Industry Partners

Kyle Spomer didn’t have to look far this week for a summer internship. The Electrical Engineering sophomore just walked 30 feet down the hall when class ended and into the Internship Fair on Tuesday. “It was super convenient having this here on campus,” Spomer said. Spomer was one of dozens of students who networked and shared their resumes with some

Students Take A Stand Against Hazing

Students made a public pledge Tuesday not to create a hazing tradition at Florida Polytechnic University. To back up that pledge, students added their handprint in paint to a long white banner entitled “These Hands Don’t Haze.” Organizers are arranging for the banner to be on display as a physical reminder of the students’ commitment. “There’s a strong commitment on

Top 5 Moments from the Spring Installment of #STEMTalks a Google+ Hangout

Florida Polytechnic University hosted #STEMTalks, a Google+ Hangout, on February 4, 2015 titled, “Debunking Pop Culture Myths from Core Science Facts.” The Hangout featured Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Athanasios Gentimis; Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Jaspreet Singh Dhau; and Associate Professor of Engineering, Dr. David Foster. The panelists discussed topics related to popular science fictions films like The Martian and Back to

Florida Polytechnic University Signs Historic Education Partnerships to Recruit International Students

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has signed historic education agreements with organizations in Brazil and Morocco as part of its efforts to recruit international students to the university. The memoranda of understanding (MOUs) will help the universities develop student and faculty exchange programs, student internships, and joint research projects. The MOU with the Centro Universitário de Brusque (UNIFEBE) in Brazil

Florida Polytechnic Universitys IST Building Recognized Globally for Architectural Innovation

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s iconic Innovation, Science and Technology building in Lakeland has earned more than 20 architectural and engineering awards since its completion, often beating out a number of billion-dollar construction projects across the global architectural scene. While the IST Building was completed just a year and a half ago, it is already recognized as one of the

FIPR 2016 Workshop on Rare Earth Elements and Uranium from Phosphate Ore

The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research (FIPR) Institute of Florida Polytechnic University hosted the “2016 Workshop on Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Uranium from Phosphate Ore” for the Critical Materials Institute (CMI) on January 19 -20, 2016 in Bartow, Florida. This meeting was attended by 48 top researchers from many of CMI’s member organizations, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho