Ofer Cohen

Ofer Cohen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Applied Physics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He holds affiliations with the Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology and previously worked as an Astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. His research focuses on interdisciplinary studies in computational plasma physics, heliophysics, exoplanets, and stellar astrophysics. He earned his Ph.D. in Space and Planetary Physics from the University of Michigan (2008), and M.S. and B.S. in Geophysics & Planetary Sciences from Tel-Aviv University (2002, 2000).

Research interests include exploring star-planet interactions, modeling stellar coronae and winds, and assessing exoplanetary habitability through atmospheric escape studies. Notable contributions include developing numerical models for the solar corona and exoplanet environments, and investigating space weather impacts on planetary atmospheres. He has led grants from NASA, NSF, and the Smithsonian Consortia, focusing on topics like stellar mass loss, exoplanet magnetospheres, and early solar system dynamics.

Key achievements include pioneering work on exoplanet radio transit detection, analyzing CME-flare relationships in active stars, and simulating atmospheric escape mechanisms. Awards include the NASA Postdoc Fellowship (2016) and NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2010). His research group includes postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduates, advancing computational MHD simulations and observational techniques in space science.

Recent projects include studies on Proxima Centauri c’s habitability, TOI 700d’s space environment, and AU Mic system dynamics. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like NASA’s NExSS and the Heliophysics Decadal Survey, emphasizing universal plasma physics principles across stellar and planetary systems.