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A group of students in front of the IST on the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, which saw record enrollment.

Record enrollment propels Florida Poly into new era of growth

August 17, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University soared into the 2026-27 academic year on Monday, Aug. 17, welcoming a record enrollment of 2,342 students. The milestone represents a remarkable 35% increase in total student enrollment over the last two years, up from over 1,900 students in 2025 and more than 1,700 in 2024, further solidifying Florida Poly’s reputation as a premier destination for high-demand STEM education.

Naibys Alzugaray, a rising senior majoring in computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, during her internship at EA in Orlando.

Florida Poly senior turns EA Madden 27 internship into software engineering career

August 14, 2026

For Naibys Alzugaray, landing an internship at Electronic Arts (EA) in Orlando, Florida, was the realization of a dream that started in high school. But by the end of the summer, that dream became a permanent reality. On the final day of her internship on Aug. 7, the Florida Polytechnic University rising senior received a full-time software engineer job offer to return to EA after graduation to join the company’s Software Engineer Academy crew.

Florida Polytechnic University Men’s Soccer player Fernando Martinez during the University’s first media day.

Florida Poly’s student-athletes take center stage at inaugural media day

August 11, 2026

With the fall 2026 semester just days away, Florida Polytechnic University’s first student-athletes donned their new uniforms, laced up their cleats and stepped into the spotlight Monday, Aug. 10, for the University’s inaugural media day for the men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as they prepare for their first season of competition.

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) and representatives from Florida Polytechnic University gather during CPHE’s inaugural site visit at the institution on Aug. 5-6.

Commission for Public Higher Education completes first accreditation site visit at Florida Polytechnic University

August 10, 2026

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a nascent institutional accreditor, today announced the successful completion of its inaugural site visit at Florida Polytechnic University on Aug. 5-6, marking a historic milestone for both organizations. The visit was the first conducted by CPHE, making Florida Poly the first institution to advance through this critical phase of the Commission’s accreditation process.

Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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Florida Polytechnic University student earns stellar opportunity in Space exploration

February 23, 2018

Florida Poly junior Payton Barnwell is about to expand her career wings into an out-of-this-world internship, as a winner of the prestigious 2018 Brooke Owens Fellowship. The program awards internships and senior mentorships to exceptional undergraduate women seeking careers in aviation or space exploration. A total of 41 young leaders from major research universities, Ivy League schools, historically black colleges

Florida Polytechnic University holds its biggest Career Internship Fair to date

February 23, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed a record number of companies for its third annual Career and Internship Fair held on Tuesday, Feb. 20. A total of 50 employers participated in the event this year, up from 26 in 2017 and 13 companies in 2016. Over 350 students took advantage of the opportunity and attended the fair at the Innovation, Science and

Florida Polytechnic University developing Happy Suit for Astronauts

February 16, 2018

Faculty and students at Florida Polytechnic University are developing a critical component for the next generation of spacesuits that will not only make astronauts more comfortable and efficient, but will also keep them happy. Depression is a major problem in space, as astronauts can be adversely affected by factors like insufficient exercise, excessive exposure to light and lack of sleep.

Florida Polytechnic University students dominate statewide awards with environmental research

February 16, 2018

Seven of the ten science and engineering students selected to receive the prestigious Hays Travel Award are from Florida Polytechnic University. The award, given by the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) Council, enables the students to attend and present their research projects at the FAS Annual Conference on March 9, 2018 at Barry University in Miami Shores. “At Florida Poly,

Diatom frustule for methane capture and storage

February 15, 2018

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,

Techniques to separate fetal and maternal ECG signals from feto-maternal ECG complex

February 15, 2018

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

Space saving photobioreactors for mass production of endemic diatoms species

February 15, 2018

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

Diatoms from Polk County lakes as alternative source of biofuel

February 15, 2018

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.

Landfill Leachate and Waste Water Characterization and Remediation

February 15, 2018

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

Florida Polytechnic University students achieve prestigious statewide award

February 14, 2018

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

Developing Products that will Change the World

February 7, 2018

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

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Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.