ETHAN ABRAHAM ’19: A Mind for Molecules - From Millbrook to MIT

When Ethan Abraham arrived at Millbrook School for his senior year, he didn’t know it would mark the turning point of his academic life. He was a dedicated hockey player, and until then, athletics had shaped much of his identity. But that year shifted everything. It was at Millbrook that Ethan decided to pivot away from the rink and toward a future defined not by goals and assists, but by atoms and equations.

That decision, supported by inspiring faculty members, ultimately set him on a path from Millbrook to MIT, where he’s now pursuing a PhD in chemistry with cutting-edge research that could one day reshape the way we store and use energy.

Ethan’s senior year at Millbrook left a lasting impact. “It might have had a disproportionate influence on my trajectory,” he reflects. “It was where I really decided to double down on academics.” Encouraged by teachers like Dr. LaCosse, who taught Advanced Physics, and Coach Sorriento, who provided guidance both on and off the ice, Ethan began to lean into the intellectual challenges that would shape his future. “That physics class really hooked me. We worked on problems that weren’t just part of the standard curriculum— they pushed us to think deeply.” That taste of real problem-solving planted a seed, one that would continue to grow through college and into graduate school.

After Millbrook, Ethan enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he initially thought he might study biochemistry or enter the biotech world. But a freshman honors physics class taught by Charles Kane—one of the field’s most influential theorists—quickly changed that. “He’s a potential Nobel laureate, and he made physics feel like storytelling,” Ethan recalls. A twist of fate sealed the deal: the night before a midterm, Ethan invented a practice problem involving a frictionless block and a stream of water. The very next day, that exact problem appeared on the test. “It was either serendipity or a little nudge from the universe,” he laughs. He aced the question— and the class—and officially declared himself a physics major the following year.

Ethan’s academic ambition didn’t stop with physics. At Penn, he also earned minors in math and computer science, studied quantum mechanics, and co-revived the university’s quantum computing club. “We weren’t building quantum computers,” he clarifies, “but we were building understanding—reading papers, hosting speakers, trying to wrap our heads around the field.” He took courses in everything from quantum computation to electrochemistry, and by his fifth year, he had completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s in physics. Along the way, he developed a love for fundamental research and began to see how deep questions—about atoms, electrons, and energy—could have wide-reaching implications.

Much of Ethan’s undergraduate research focused on molecular dynamics—computer simulations that help scientists understand how particles move and interact. His first major project, under the guidance of his professor and research mentor Abraham Nitzan, examined thermal conductivity in polymer wires, materials used in everything from electronics to clothing. “Professor Nitzan is a world leader in the field of chemical dynamics and the effect of molecular vibrations on reaction phenomena. We wanted to know how stretching or twisting these wires changed how they conduct heat,” he explains. The work was pure science—foundational rather than applied—but it opened a window into the tiny, vibrating world of molecules and how their movements affect energy systems. His first paper, published in the Journal of Chemical Physics, revealed surprising results: twisting polymer wires can actually increase their ability to transfer heat, a finding with potential relevance to next-generation materials and nanotechnologies.

Now completing his first year as a PhD student at MIT, Ethan is still simulating particles but this time with an eye toward solving one of the world’s most pressing challenges: better batteries. His current research focuses on electrochemical interfaces—the regions where battery components interact on a molecular level—and how those reactions can be modeled more accurately. He works with two professors from different departments: Troy Van Voorhis (chemistry) and Martin Bazant (chemical engineering), a co-advising arrangement that allows Ethan to bridge theoretical methods with real-world applications. “One of them specializes in the electronic structure of materials, the other in electrochemical kinetics,” he says. “It turns out that their work can be combined in a really powerful way, and I am fortunate to participate in bringing their expertise together.”

At its core, Ethan’s research is about improving the science behind lithium-ion batteries and other related technologies—the kind that power our phones, laptops, and electric cars. Specifically, he’s studying how the speed of chemical reactions (the “kinetics”) of battery interfaces can be influenced by the microscopic structure of materials. Improved kinetics could mean faster charging and increased lifespan by limiting the side reactions that lead to degradation. “It’s about helping us move toward safer, cheaper, more efficient energy storage,” Ethan explains. “That’s key if we want to scale up technologies like solar power.” His work may be deeply technical, but the goal is universal: to improve energy systems and make them more accessible and reliable for everyone.

Despite the heavy computational work, Ethan’s research has one foot firmly planted in the real world. “Even though I’m simulating molecules, the bigger picture is very clear—this could affect everything from EVs to renewable grids.” He’s currently setting up simulations that model lithium-ion movement in different battery materials, including newer, more sustainable alternatives to cobalt. “If we can understand how these materials behave on a microscopic level, we can design batteries that perform better and last longer,” he explains. It’s demanding, detail-oriented work that often requires many iterations and precise programming. But for Ethan, it’s deeply fulfilling.

Outside the lab, Ethan’s curiosity and sense of community remain strong. He still sings occasionally—mostly informally at Hillel services—and enjoys staying connected to friends from Millbrook and Penn. His passion for mentoring and collaboration is evident in the way he talks about his professors and peers. “I’m lucky,” he says. “Both of my advisors are incredibly supportive, and we have a real team mentality in the lab.” Funding for his research currently comes from MIT, but he’s also applied for several prestigious fellowships through the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy. “It would be great to secure one, but for now, I’m just grateful to be doing work I believe in.”

What comes after the PhD? Ethan is still open. He’s interested in staying in academia— perhaps as a professor who leads both research and industry collaborations—but he’s not ruling out the private sector either. “The goal is to stay close to the science,” he says. “Whether that’s at a university or a research lab or somewhere else, I want to be where new ideas are being tested and built into something real.” Wherever he ends up, it’s clear that Ethan’s path will continue to be defined by the same intellectual curiosity, humility, and sense of service that Millbrook helped cultivate.

“One of the things Millbrook gave me was confidence,” Ethan says. “I came in unsure of who I was and left with the feeling that I could actually take on big questions—and contribute to the answers.” It’s a legacy that continues to shape his work every day. From a student in AP Physics to a scientist at MIT simulating the future of energy, Ethan’s journey is a testament to what can happen when challenge meets inspiration.