Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Florida Polytechnic, IFF Lay Groundwork for Citrus Innovation Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/26/22

Representatives from Florida Polytechnic University and IFF recently gathered to celebrate laying the foundation for a new Citrus Innovation Center on the university’s campus in Lakeland, Fla. The 30,000-square-foot facility will play home to global citrus research and include amenities like research las, sensory and experience venues, analytical departments, a citrus garden, and more, according to a news release.

“What an honor to celebrate this beacon for innovation and excellence that is a perfect blend of science and creativity,” said IFF’s Nourish Division President, Nicolas Mirzayantz. “As we lay the foundation for a global citrus innovation center, we re-affirm IFF’s commitment to invest in R&D capabilities that unlock the development of innovative solutions for our customers, partners, and communities we operate in. This facility represents a significant milestone in our cross-divisional citrus strategy. Here, we will accelerate innovation by combining the expertise from our Nourish and Scent divisions with on-campus talent who are just as committed to pushing the boundaries of science and uplifting the citrus industry as a whole.”

The facility and its landscaping are scheduled for completion in late 2023, the news release reports. The university and IFF are partnering with Ryan Companies for the building’s design, engineering, and construction. Ryan will also maintain the building when it’s finished.

“We are proud that IFF recognized the strategic advantage in partnering with our university,” said Florida Polytechnic University President Randy K. Avent. “Our students and faculty are making real contributions in growing the tech industry by influencing the designs of pioneering technologies and real-world solutions. We’re excited about the cross-disciplinary learning opportunities for our students through this partnership in fields such as metabolomics, automation, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and biometric data capture and analysis, to name a few.”

IFF is the first company to build a facility on Florida Polytechnic’s campus, the news release reports. It will offer internships and jobs to students in fields like research and development, supply and operational coordination, customer experience, and entrepreneurship. It will also fund and collaborate with the university on faculty research, senior capstone projects and academic programs.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Colorado School District Breaks Ground on Unified PK–12 Campus

    The Haxtun School District No. Re-2J in Haxtun, Colo., recently announced that ground has been broken on a renovation/addition project that will unite its two schools, Haxtun Elementary and Haxtun Jr/Sr High School, according to a news release.