Professor Marvin L. Cohen stands as a preeminent figure in theoretical condensed matter physics, holding the distinguished position of University Professor of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and serving as Senior Faculty Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Born in Montreal, Canada in 1935, he completed his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley in 1957 before earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1963. Following a year at Bell Telephone Laboratories, he joined UC Berkeley as an assistant professor, rapidly advancing to full professor and establishing himself as a central force in the physics department. His exceptional contributions were recognized in 1995 when he was appointed to the prestigious University Professor rank, UC Berkeley's highest academic honor, and he served as President of the American Physical Society in 2005.
Cohen's pioneering development of pseudopotential methods in the 1960s fundamentally transformed computational materials physics, enabling detailed studies of complex real materials rather than idealized models. His work established the quantum theoretical framework for explaining and predicting properties of materials, forming the foundation for semiconductor physics, superconductor physics, and modern nanoscience. With these computational tools, scientists can now accurately predict properties of materials never before realized in nature or laboratory, a capability that revolutionized electronics research and development. His research contributions span superconductivity in highly doped semiconductors, high-pressure silicon phases, and the electronic properties of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, with his work cited in over 870 technical publications that have made him one of the world's most cited physicists.
Beyond his research excellence, Professor Cohen has profoundly shaped the field through decades of mentorship, training an outstanding generation of scientists who now lead research worldwide. His leadership extends to numerous prestigious honors including the National Medal of Science, the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics, and the American Physical Society Buckley Prize, alongside memberships in the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Philosophical Society. The enduring impact of his work continues to influence materials science and nanotechnology research, with his computational approaches remaining fundamental to the field's progress. His steadfast support of international scientific collaboration, particularly with Israeli scientists and the Weizmann Institute, exemplifies his commitment to advancing global scientific understanding and cooperation across boundaries.
