Cohen, the Raymond A. Laurent Professor of Chemical Engineering, Emeritus, whose pioneering research helped shape the fields of polymers and soft matter while inspiring generations of students, passed away peacefully on July 9 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. "Bob Cohen was an innovator in every sense of the word: in his research, his approach to mentorship, and in every aspect of our community at MIT," says Kristala Prather '94, the Arthur D. Little Professor and head of the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE). "Bob combined extraordinary intellect with remarkable humility. As a teacher, colleague, advisor, and friend, he had a gift for making people feel respected, valued, and heard.

That generosity shaped every part of his work and inspired everyone fortunate enough to know him." During more than four decades at MIT, Cohen continually reimag… The collaboration advanced research in bioelectronics, biomimetic materials, alternative energy, and metabolic engineering, while fostering lasting collaborations across disciplines. Cohen was a prolific collaborator whose pioneering research established him as one of the world's leading chemical engineers. His contributions include omniphobic surfaces, block copolymer nanoreactors for inorganic cluster synthesis, tough-stiff nanocomposites, chain folding in confined geometries, and layer-by-layer assemblies at the biotic-abiotic interface. Yet when asked about his proudest accomplishments, he rarely pointed to his scientific discoveries. Instead, he spoke about his students, and took immense pride in watchi…