Renewable Energy: Fundamentals and Job Opportunities

Mark Bremer is a dedicated Lecturer at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and a doctoral student in Sustainable Energy at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Colorado College. As a certified Campus Sustainability Leader and LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction, Mark is committed to promoting sustainable practices within educational settings. He serves as the Principal Investigator for the multi-campus SUNY Green Building Experiential Learning Collaborative, which utilizes campus buildings as living laboratories to enhance learning about sustainability and green building techniques. Through his teaching and research, Mark Bremer plays a vital role in advancing knowledge and practices related to renewable energy and environmental stewardship, preparing students to tackle the challenges of sustainability in their future careers.

Timothy "Tim" Cochran was a renowned professor of mathematics at Rice University, recognized for his specialization in topology, particularly in low-dimensional topology and knot theory. Born on April 7, 1955, he excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian from Severna Park High School before pursuing his undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and earning his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1982. Cochran's career included significant roles at prestigious institutions, culminating in his full professorship at Rice University in 1998. He made substantial contributions to the field, notably through his work on the solvable filtration of the knot concordance group and the introduction of the "slam-dunk move" in surgery diagrams. A dedicated mentor, he was honored as a fellow of the American Mathematical Society shortly before his untimely passing on December 16, 2014. His legacy continues to influence students and researchers in mathematics, particularly in the areas of knot theory and topology.

Dr. Elena Brewer, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Electrical Engineering Technology Department at Farmingdale State College (FSC), brings over 15 years of teaching experience at both community colleges and universities. With a PhD in Physics from SUNY-University at Buffalo, her expertise spans renewable energy, nanotechnology, and electrical engineering technology.

Dr. Khosro Shirvani, an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Technology, excels in Tribology, Additive Manufacturing, and Renewable Energy. He developed FSC's Wind Turbine Technology certificate program and creates hands-on, skill-building courses in clean energy technologies. His dedication to engineering education and renewable energy exemplifies FSC’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.

Marjaneh Issapour, the Director of the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center at Farmingdale State College (FSC), is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology with expertise in renewable and alternative energy sources. Her research includes statistical modeling of energy-related metrics and applications of alternative energy technologies. Currently, she leads projects on drinking water quality alongside her students, fostering innovation in sustainability.