Dr. Yoram Cohen

Dr. Cohen is a Distinguished Research Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a Faculty Affiliate member of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (1981-present) and the California NanoSystems Institute. He is also Adjunct Professor at Ben-Gurion University (Department of Desalination & Water Treatment, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research). He was a Visiting Professor at the Technion (1987-1988) and at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain 1994), and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Victoria University (Australia 2006). Dr. Cohen also served as Director of the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies (2015-2020) and currently serves on its Faculty Advisory Board. The Center focuses on the study of modern Israel at UCLA, sponsors courses about Israel, engages in academic research, hosts and organizes academic and public programs. Born in Israel, Dr. Cohen maintains close ties to the country both in his personal and professional lives. He is active in promoting understanding of Israel as a progressive and democratic nation.

Dr. Cohen is a recognized expert and technology innovator in water treatment/purification and desalination and environmental risk assessment. He is engaged in environmental protection efforts to promote water reuse, develop clean drinking water supplies for disadvantaged communities, and reduce risks from multimedia exposures to chemical contaminants. Given that environmental sustainability, protection and water resources are of global concern, it is not surprising that Dr. Cohen has working relationships with researchers and policy makers across the globe. He co-founded the Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEIN) that received the 2012 California Governor’s Award in Green Chemistry, and Director of the UCLA Center for Water Technology Research (WaTeR) Center which has research collaborations worldwide. Dr. Cohen received the Clarence (Larry) G. Gerhold Award (2019) and Lawrence K. Cecil Award (2003) from Separations Division and Environmental Divisions, respectively, of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In 2008 he received the Ann C. Rosenfield Community Partnership Prize for his environmental research, a County of Los Angeles Commendation, a State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition, and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition (US) for his contribution to legislation to protect public health and dedicated service to the community.