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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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Interesting Semiconductors Process Engineer Jobs

October 15, 2014

Selecting which college degree to pursue can be an exciting and sometimes, overwhelming process. From electrical engineeringdegrees to a computer engineering degree, it’s important to understand which degree programs are offered at your university, and the potential post-graduate career opportunities in that field. In addition, faculty advisors can be a valuable resource when making your final degree selection. What Is

Get Your Application in Early Associate Admissions Director Advises

September 10, 2014

Summer break just ended, yet it’s not too early for high school seniors to seriously focus on their top choices for colleges and universities. Applying early gives candidates the opportunity for an early decision and puts them first in line for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. As Associate Director of Admissions at Florida Poly, it is my job

Florida Polytechnic University Officially Opens with LAUNCH Celebration

August 16, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is now officially open and ready to welcome its Inaugural Class. Florida’s newest state university held a public LAUNCH Celebration on Saturday to commemorate its grand opening and the completion of the iconic Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building. Florida Polytechnic leaders, Governor Rick Scott, and more than 1,000 supporters and new students gathered

Florida Polytechnic University Flagship Solutions Group and IBM Announce Supercomputing Center

August 13, 2014

ARMONK, NY and Lakeland, Fla. – August 13, 2014 – Florida Polytechnic University, Flagship Solutions Group, and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a new supercomputing center at the University composed of IBM high performance systems, software and cloud-based storage, to help educate students in emerging technology fields. Florida Polytechnic University is the newest addition to the State University System of Florida and the only

FIPR Institute Assists Odyssey Marine Exploration in Underwater Phosphorite Study

August 5, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute at Florida Polytechnic University recently assisted Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX), a pioneer in deep-ocean mineral exploration, in testing and measuring phosphorite core samples from an underwater deposit. Researchers at FIPR conducted metallurgical testing and chemical analysis for an independent technical report on the Oceanica deposit. They analyzed a total

Florida Polytechnic University Inks Mosaic as Latest Industry Partner Supporting Students and Research

August 1, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) has joined Florida Polytechnic University as its latest industry partner. Florida Polytechnic officials, including President Dr. Randy K. Avent, welcomed Mosaic leaders, including Gary N. “Bo” Davis, Mosaic Senior Vice President, Phosphate Operations, during a partnership signing ceremony today at the university’s Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research (FIPR) Institute in Bartow, Fla. As

Florida Polytechnic Universitytechnic Announces New Board of Trustees Chairman and Vice Chairman

July 31, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of R. Mark Bostick, president of Comcar Industries, as its new Board Chairman and Frank T. Martin, a senior transportation management executive, as the Vice Chairman. Both appointments are for two-year terms that run to July 31, 2016. Mr. Bostick, of Lake Wales, has been serving

Florida Polytechnic Universitys Engineering and Robotics Camp to Host Graduation Ceremony

June 25, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has announced that the Medical Engineering and Robotics Innovation for Tomorrow (merit) program will conclude Thursday evening with a graduation ceremony and presentation of student projects at All Saints Academy in Winter Haven. For a second summer, the merit program introduced area high school students to high-tech innovations with practical applications at the hands-on,

The Board of Governors has confirmed Dr. Randy K. Avent as Florida Polytechnic Universitys first president

June 19, 2014

ORLANDO—The Board of Governors Thursday confirmed Dr. Randy K. Avent to be the first leader of the State University System’s newest institution, Florida Polytechnic University. “The Board is pleased to welcome Dr. Avent to our State University System,” said Board Chair Mori Hosseini. “It is no small challenge to guide Florida’s first polytechnic university. But I have no doubt, with

Florida Polytechnic University Professor to Lecture at Global Nanotech Conference in Washington D.C.

June 17, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University Professor Dr. Robert MacCuspie is an invited speaker at the TechConnect World’s Nanotech conference in Washington, D.C., from June 15-18. Dr. MacCuspie, who directs the University’s Nanotechnology and Multifunctional Materials programs, will present a lecture on June 18 that explores “Measurement methods and approaches for studying silver nanomaterial release.” Dr. MacCuspie writes that, “Silver nanoparticles have been

Electric Car Marathon Raises More Than $12000 for Florida Polytechnic University Scholarships and Mens Health Research

June 13, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – A charitable electric car marathon from Florida to New York City reached the finish line on Friday, raising more than $12,000 to benefit Florida Polytechnic University scholarships and men’s health research. Florida Polytechnic Foundation Board members Dr. Sijo Parekattil and Rob Kincart, along with Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, drove 1,100 miles from Clermont to Manhattan from June 12-13

Charitable Electric Car Marathon Runs June 12-13 to Benefit Florida Polytechnic University and Mens Health Research

June 10, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – A charitable, cross-country electric car marathon that will help fund Florida Polytechnic University scholarships and men’s health research hits the road Thursday, June 12, in Clermont, Florida. The Drive for Men’s Health, featuring two futuristic Tesla vehicles, is set for June 12-13 and is being organized by Florida Polytechnic Foundation Board member Dr. Sijo Parekattil and Dr. Jamin