His research employs a variety of ground-based and space-based resources to research the atmospheric properties and processes of these objects, identify and characterize low-mass multiple systems, investigate magnetic activity, and use brown dwarf populations to study the Milky Way system. He also conducts education research on integrating creative, artistic and embodied practices into Physics learning. Adam has been engaged in improving representation and inclusion in Physics and Astronomy, as chair of the AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy and as a member of the California Professoriate for Access to Physics Careers (CPAPC). In 2014, he was awarded both the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Diversity Award and Mentor of the Year Award at UCSD for his diversity, outreach and mentoring work.