Open gallery
Dr. Martin Abraham, PHD
- Professor
-
(585) 395-2918
mabraham@brockport.edu
Office: Smith Hall 219
Bio
After earning the rank of full professor in chemical engineering, I moved into academic administration, serving first as Dean and then Provost for several institutions. In these leadership positions, I developed critical partnerships with leading research universities, global corporations, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and business associations to drive measurable impact for students, organizations, and communities. As an educator, I have focused on designing high-impact learning experiences that drive student success and strengthen the workforce of the future.
I have focused my research agenda on green chemistry and sustainability, with recent emphasis on understanding chemical engineering solutions to climate change. My scholarly record now spans more than 100 publications and 200 invited presentations, delivered both in scientific contexts and in widely read public forums. I also serve as Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy (Wiley) and was Editor-in-Chief for the Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies (Elsevier), roles that put me at the nexus of global conversations on sustainability, innovation, and climate solutions. As a Fellow of the AIChE, I serve the profession through efforts on implementing the Institute’s climate policy through its Public Affairs and Information Committee.
Education
- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 1987
- B.S. Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1982
Areas of Specialty
- Chemical engineering thermodynamics
- Reaction kinetics and catalysis
- Green chemistry and engineering
- Sustainability and climate change
- Environmental policy
Courses Taught
- CHM 121: Chemistry and Scientists
- CHM 555: Green Solvents
Research Interests
Sustainability is a “wicked problem” that requires a high level of systems thinking to understand how changes in policy affect ecosystems and human health. The challenges are complex and interdependent, involve wide range of stakeholders, arise from multiple causes, and occur over a broad range of spatial and time scales. Scientific and engineering solutions are not sufficient to solve sustainability issues, but rather require a systems level approach that integrates technology, economic prosperity, and societal impacts, to promote incremental growth and adaptation as we move to a more sustainable and just world.
Our research seeks to understand how education, technology, and policy combine to advance sustainability in ways that are both practical and transformative. We will investigate how emerging technologies, such as green chemistry innovations, cleaner production methods, and data‑driven decision tools, can reduce environmental impacts while supporting human well‑being. Simultaneously, I am interested in understanding how educational practices can develop the systems thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem‑solving skills needed to address current sustainability challenges. This work extends into policy, exploring how evidence‑based regulations, incentives, and institutional frameworks connect technological innovation and public behavior. By connecting these three domains, my research seeks to design and evaluate interventions that are scalable, equitable, and adaptable across diverse communities and sectors.
Journal Editor: Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy (https://aiche.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19447450)
Professional Society Affiliations:
- Fellow, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- Fellow, American Chemical Society