KEY WEST, FL, August 11, 2026— Dr. Hussain, a faculty member from the Department of Engineering Technology at The College of the Florida Keys (CFK), has been named Lead Guest Editor for a special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). Sustainability is an international, peer-reviewed journal published by MDPI, a global open access publisher serving the scholarly community.

Dr. Hussain’s appointment as Lead Guest Editor reflects the growing national and international recognition of CFK’s faculty expertise in emerging energy fields and shines a spotlight on CFK’s Engineering Technology program.

CFK’s Associate in Science degree in Engineering Technology, developed with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), features a unique specialization in Renewable Energy that focuses on career training in solar, wind, and ocean power technologies. The program supports the growing demand for today’s renewable energy workforce. An associate degree in Engineering Technology provides a versatile foundation from which students can pursue a variety of careers.

The special issue of Sustainability is titled “Integrated Thermal Energy Storage and Sustainable Renewable Energy: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Dr. Hussain is co-editing the issue alongside Dr. Gwi Hyun Lee.

The issue will gather original research and review papers and case studies on thermal energy storage and renewable energy systems including phase change materials, hybrid solar technologies, AI-driven energy optimization, hydrogen technologies and smart grid integration. It aims to give researchers, engineers, and industry professionals a forum for advancing low-carbon, energy-efficient technologies as part of the global energy transition.

“This appointment is not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to showcase the outstanding work being done at The College of the Florida Keys,” said Dr. M. Imtiaz Hussain, Department of Engineering Technology. “By strengthening our connections with leading researchers worldwide, we can enrich the educational experience of our students and further prepare the next generation of engineers to address global energy challenges.”

Dr. Hussain earned his doctorate in engineering from Kangwon National University in South Korea and has nearly 12 years of experience leading research groups and teaching energy-focused coursework at the university level. He has published numerous research articles in peer-reviewed energy journals and has been awarded prestigious honors including the Higher Education Commission Scholarship of Pakistan and the Brain Pool Fellowship of South Korea. His research spans hybrid photovoltaic/thermal and concentrated solar power technologies, energy systems modeling, advanced heat transfer, AI-driven thermal management and green energy storage. 

For more information about CFK’s Associate in Science degree in Engineering Technology, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/academics/academic-departments/engineering-technology-renewable-energy/ or contact Marissa Owens, CFK Manager of Recruitment, at: recruiter@cfk.edu or 305-809-3207.

For more information about the special issue, visit: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/081F16172P

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About The College of the Florida Keys

Founded in 1965 as Monroe Junior College, The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) has served the Florida Keys community for 60 years, providing accessible, high-quality education from Ocean Reef to Key West. CFK has expanded to offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates across several academic and workforce programs as well as high school opportunities and community enrichment courses and programs. For more information about CFK and its mission, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/discover/mission-vision-values/