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Q&A: Austin Lubetkins developing software that changes lives

April 23, 2019

Computer Science major Austin Lubetkin ‘19 isn’t the average college student. He’s also an inventor, accomplished artist, entrepreneur, and activist. Lubetkin who is from Boca Raton, Թ has a passion for developing technology that improves the lives of people with disabilities. During his time at Թ Poly he has started a business, filed for a patent, and presented his biometric password prototype to the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Symposium on Cryptologic History.

 

Do you have a pet? What kind?

I have a chocolate lab named Sugar who is my service dog.

 

What is your favorite movie?

“The Rape of Europa” (It’s about the art the Nazis stole during WW2).

 

What is your favorite comic book character?

Gambit.

 

What’s the last book you read?

Walk Through Walls: A Memoir by Marina Abramović.

 

What TV show are you currently binge-watching?

Westworld.

 

If you could have a super power what would it be and why?

Intangibility. I guess growing up getting overwhelmed by my senses I always kind of wanted to be untouchable.

 

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sushi because it’s my favorite food and you can get a whole meals nutrition from a single item.

 

What was your favorite class at Թ Poly?

Scientific Computation and Programming are probably tied with Discrete Mathematics for my favorite class.

 

Who was your Թ Poly mentor and why?

Ms. Lowe in the art department. She was always someone I could share the new artwork and tech I was working on and was a constant source of motivation and inspiration while I was at Թ Poly.

 

What did you enjoy the most about your time at Թ Poly?

From the first semester I was here I was able to work on research. The opportunities I’ve had available here between the focus on entrepreneurship and the focus on research have been unbelievable.

 

Choose three words to describe Թ Poly.

Perpetual, growth, and mindset.

 

What advice would you give to a freshman?

Reach out to the teachers for classes you really enjoy and ask about opportunities for research and further learning. If you can find something that really inspires you then you can stay motivated while at Թ Poly.

 

What was your greatest accomplishment at Թ Poly?

My patent was filed and my start-up had its first round of investment

 

Editor’s Note: This story is one of a series of Q&As with some of Թ Poly’s class of 2019 graduates.

Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-874-8450

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Թ, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Թ, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Թ Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.