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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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Florida Polytechnic University President Awarded Prestigious IEEE Fellowship

January 15, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent has been named a 2015 Fellow by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE Grade of Fellow is granted by the Board of Directors to individuals with an extraordinary record

Florida Polytechnic Universitytechnic Professor and Author to Discuss Her Book on Florida Environmentalist

January 8, 2015

LAKELAND – Florida Polytechnic University Professor Dr. Peggy Macdonald will discuss her new book, “Marjorie Harris Carr: Defender of Florida’s Environment,” at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, at Florida Southern College. Dr. Macdonald is the invited guest speaker in the next lecture in the Florida Lecture Series, sponsored by the Lawton M. Chiles, Jr., Center for Florida History. The lecture is

How to Become an Electrical Engineer: A Counselors Perspective

December 17, 2014

Students often ask counselors how to become an electrical engineer, or what do you need to become an electrical engineer. While it can vary from person to person, we’ve put together a guide for those looking to pursue an engineering degree. An electrical engineer degree is one of the most popular degree choices for college students today. In everyday life, electrical engineers

Is Electrical Engineering Hard?

December 16, 2014

An electrical engineering degree is a study of one of the most dynamic branches of engineering and focuses on the application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. As a career, electrical engineers work on a wide range of components, devices and systems, from tiny microchips to huge power station generators. Electrical engineers are the individuals who make the systems and create

Three Florida Polytechnic University Teams Win ‘Shark Tank’ Style Competition

December 12, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is spurring innovation as the organizer and host of an invention competition, similar to the reality show “Shark Tank.” Nine student teams from Florida Polytechnic’s College of Engineering showcased their inventions to a panel of industry experts on Thursday, but only the top three teams won the grand prize – entrepreneurial support from the

Florida Polytechnic University: Already a Family Tradition

December 8, 2014

Many high school students see college as time to set out on their own, to say goodbye to Mom and Dad and experience independence for the first time. But not Makala Quinn. For her, college has become a family affair. Makala is a freshman at Florida Polytechnic University studying Health Informatics and Cyber Security – side-by-side with her father, a graduate student in the

How is Computer Science Different from Computer Engineering?

November 14, 2014

When it comes to STEM education, one question that constantly arises is the difference between computer science and computer engineering. When selecting the appropriate major, it’s important to understand what makes each area of study distinct. Computer Science What is computer science engineering? Computer science is the study of how instructions and data are processed and communicated by devices. This

Top 3 Reasons to Choose an Engineering Degree

November 12, 2014

It’s a big decision – and may well determine your career and professional future. Some may say, one of the biggest decisions of your life. Your passion may be to develop streamlined processes, to solve complex problems, or to generate models via technology. A degree in engineering enables you to make impact, and perhaps change the world. Puzzled about which

The Future of Semiconductor Jobs

November 4, 2014

They’re found in everything – from the watches we wear, to the computers we work on, to the vehicles we drive. Semiconductor technology has helped industries transform and played a huge role in the history of communication technology. Today, electronic devices are smaller, faster and more reliable, thanks to semiconductors engineering jobs. We expect to be able to transmit and

Robotics Epidemic Comes to Florida Polytechnic University Campus

November 3, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University welcomed more than 100 prominent scientists and physicians from around the world to its campus over the weekend as the host of the Multispecialty Robotic Microsurgery Symposium. The event was part of the fourth annual conference of the Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society (RAMSES). University President Dr. Randy K. Avent welcomed the group

The Future of Semiconductor Technology

October 27, 2014

The semiconductor technology industry is a fast-growing and exciting field in the world of technology. As new generations of semiconductor technology progress, including advancements in fields such as power electronics, microelectronics, medical diagnostic tools, and automotive electric hybrids, the future of semiconductor technology will continue to evolve and broaden at a rapid pace. Semiconductor Technology: A Focus on Near-Term Research

Florida Polytechnic University Students Enjoy Free Bus Rides as the Polytechnic Circuit Express Celebrates Grand Opening

October 15, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University students, faculty and staff have free access to the Polytechnic Circuit Express, thanks to a partnership that officially kicked off Wednesday between the University, Polk Transit and the Cities of Lakeland and Auburndale. A 32-passenger bus provided by the Cities of Lakeland and Auburndale will now connect the University community to popular housing, shopping and