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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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Q&A: Business analytics grad ready to launch into high-tech career

April 28, 2023

Adriana Pinto ’23 will receive her bachelor’s degree in business analytics with a concentration in intelligent mobility on Sunday, May 7. The student from Irvine, California, worked as an admissions ambassador during her time at Florida Poly. She is excited to put her education to work after graduation as a technology consultant for global consulting firm Protiviti in New York

Florida Poly researchers’ work lays foundation for expanded high-speed internet access

April 27, 2023

Work by an interdisciplinary team of Florida Polytechnic University researchers helped Polk County, Florida, officials apply for two grants totaling more than $41.5 million to close the gap in broadband connectivity The 11-member research team conducted a feasibility study to address the insufficient broadband coverage problems in the county, and provide documentation to impact policies, influence legislation, and help acquire

High-tech industry-sponsored projects featured at 2023 Capstone Showcase

April 26, 2023

Twenty-nine teams of Florida Polytechnic University students displayed their completed industry-sponsored, leading-edge projects at the fifth annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April. 26. The capstone program tasks multidisciplinary teams of students to work together to complete a real-world challenge presented by a project sponsor. The students work throughout the academic year to develop solutions for these challenges. Among this

Spring Game Expo draws crowds to see latest student-created video games

April 24, 2023

Networked student-created video games took center stage at the annual Spring Game Expo at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, April 22. Prospective students and their families arrived on campus to check out the games, learn about the computer science major and career paths, and explore campus in an accompanying open house event. “The Game Expo provides students with a first-hand

Florida Poly junior shines at national powerlifting championship

April 21, 2023

Madison Yonash, a junior at Florida Polytechnic University and captain of the women’s powerlifting team, competed at the 2023 USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals in Arlington, Texas, on April 14. She placed 20th in her 60-kilo weight class. “It was insane,” said Yonash, who is majoring in business analytics. “My weight class had over 70 lifters in it competing at nationals.

2023 Ablaze awards recognize exceptional Florida Poly employees

April 19, 2023

Standout Florida Polytechnic University employees were recognized for their outstanding efforts on Wednesday, April 19, at the University’s sixth annual Ablaze awards ceremony. “We’ve accomplished so much in the last year, and that is due in very large part to each one of you,” Dr. Randy K. Avent, Florida Poly’s president, said to the audience of employees at the City

Q&A: Master’s grad reflects on making his mark at Florida Poly

April 18, 2023

Jake Greenberg ’22, ’23 is thrilled to walk across the stage and receive his master’s degree in engineering management at Florida Polytechnic University just one year after earning his bachelor’s degree in data science with a concentration in big data analytics at the University. During his time as a student, Greenberg was chair and vice chair of Florida PolyCon, treasurer

Alum launches software development career with NASA internship

April 17, 2023

Soon after Andy Ponce ’22 received his bachelor’s degree in computer science last December, he packed his bags and moved to Titusville, Florida, to embrace a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. “I had graduated and planned to get a full-time job and then this internship happened and it’s completely different than what I expected,” said the alumnus

Purple Fire Robotics team tops U.S. combat bot stats, readies for national championship

April 13, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University student Russell Williams has spent the last two years building and refining a combat robot that has become the No. 2 robot in the country in its class. In just a few weeks, the robot could battle its way to ending the season as the top bot in its category nationally. Williams, a junior majoring in mechanical

Q&A: Phoenix proud to be one of Florida Poly’s first applied mathematics grads

April 12, 2023

David Schindler ’23 is excited to receive his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Florida Polytechnic University on May 7. Schindler, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was part of the Campus Activity Board and Math Club, and also worked for the Office of Residential Life during his time at the University. He is a graduate of George Washington Carver High School of

Florida Poly to carry out Board of Governors amended cybersecurity regulation

April 7, 2023

Florida Poly, alongside the other institutions in the State University System (SUS), is taking immediate steps to comply with the Florida Board of Governors’ emergency amendment to Regulation 3.0075 – Security of Data and Related Information Technology Resources, which was adopted March 29. The amended regulation requires universities to remove technologies identified as severe security threats in the SUS Prohibited

Q&A: Grad dreams of making impact with transportation data analysis

April 6, 2023

Isabella Morales ’23 will receive her bachelor’s degree in data science with a concentration in intelligent mobility from Florida Polytechnic University on May 7. The student from Brandon, Florida, is set on making an impact on the world of public transportation, starting by earning her master’s degree in data science at Florida Poly. She is a graduate of Middleton Magnet