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

  • Texas A&M Opens First Building at Fort Worth Campus, Breaks Ground on Research Facility

    The Texas A&M University System marked a major milestone in the development of its Fort Worth campus by opening its first completed academic building and breaking ground on a second facility designed to expand research and industry collaboration.

  • California High School Opens New Classroom Building for 7th-, 8th-Graders

    Santa Rosa City Schools in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently announced the completion of a new classroom building for Piner High School. As the campus transitions to a Junior/Senior High School, the facility will play home to the school’s new population of seventh- and eighth-grade students.

  • Opportunity by Design Framework

    Opportunity by Design

    Educational improvement efforts often focus on curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, and intervention systems while treating the physical school building as background. But school design is not a passive backdrop to learning — it is a structural lever for equity.

  • Missouri Child Development Center Completes $2.3M Expansion

    The Urban Sprouts Child Development Center in St. Louis, Mo., recently announced the completion of a $2.3-million expansion and adaptive reuse project, according to a news release. The new space includes a retail café, outdoor learning space, and a support office building.