# Norman Howard Cohen

> Ph.D. Harvard University 1980

**Wikidata**: [Q102260047](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102260047)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/norman-howard-cohen

## Summary
Norman Howard Cohen is an American computer scientist who has held significant research and engineering roles at major technology organizations including IBM and Google. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1980 and is recognized for his long-term contributions to industrial computer science research.

## Biography
- Education: B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science, Cornell University (1975); Ph.D., Harvard University (1980)
- Known for: Industrial computer science research and software engineering
- Employer(s): Google, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, SofTech, Inc., Sperry Corporation
- Field(s): Computer Science

## Contributions
Norman Howard Cohen has spent over four decades contributing to the field of computer science through both academic research and industrial application. After completing his doctoral studies at Harvard University under the advisement of Harry R. Lewis, Cohen entered the private sector. His early career included roles at the Sperry Corporation (1979–1983) and SofTech, Inc. (1983–1987).

Cohen’s most extensive professional tenure was at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, where he served as a researcher from 1987 until 2009. During this 22-year period, he contributed to the body of work produced by one of the world's leading industrial research institutions. In 2010, he joined Google, the multinational technology company based in Mountain View, California. His professional work is documented across several major academic and technical databases, including IEEE Xplore, zbMATH, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project, reflecting a career built on the intersection of mathematical theory and practical computing.

## FAQs
### Q: Where did Norman Howard Cohen receive his Ph.D.?
A: Norman Howard Cohen received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1980. His doctoral advisor was the noted computer scientist and mathematician Harry R. Lewis.

### Q: What are Norman Howard Cohen's most notable employer affiliations?
A: Cohen is notably affiliated with Google, where he began working in 2010, and the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, where he worked for over two decades from 1987 to 2009.

### Q: What was Norman Howard Cohen's educational background before Harvard?
A: Before attending Harvard, Cohen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and computer science from Cornell University, graduating in 1975.

## Why They Matter
Norman Howard Cohen’s career exemplifies the transition of high-level computer science research from traditional industrial laboratories to the modern internet era. His two-decade tenure at IBM’s Watson Research Center places him within a lineage of scientists who developed foundational technologies for the enterprise and software sectors. By moving to Google in 2010, Cohen brought this extensive background in industrial research to one of the most influential companies in the internet and software industries. His inclusion in the Mathematics Genealogy Project and various mathematical author databases highlights the rigorous theoretical foundation that informs his practical work in the technology sector.

## Notable For
*   **IBM Research Tenure:** Served for 22 years (1987–2009) at the prestigious IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center.
*   **Academic Lineage:** Completed doctoral work at Harvard University under Harry R. Lewis, a prominent figure in computer science and former Dean of Harvard College.
*   **Industry Transition:** Successfully transitioned from foundational computing firms like Sperry and IBM to a key role at Google during its period of continued global dominance.
*   **Technical Recognition:** Maintained a documented research presence in major indices including IEEE Xplore and zbMATH.

## Body

### Academic Foundation
Norman Howard Cohen established his academic career at two Ivy League institutions. He attended Cornell University, where he focused on the dual disciplines of mathematics and computer science, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1975. He then moved to Harvard University for his graduate studies. In 1980, he earned his Ph.D. under the supervision of Harry R. Lewis, a noted author and professor of computer science.

### Industrial Research Career
Cohen’s professional trajectory is defined by long-term stays at major technology firms:
*   **Sperry Corporation (1979–1983):** Cohen began his professional career at Sperry during the final year of his doctoral program.
*   **SofTech, Inc. (1983–1987):** He spent four years at this software-focused firm before moving into high-level industrial research.
*   **IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (1987–2009):** Cohen’s longest professional affiliation was with IBM, where he contributed to the company's research division for over two decades.
*   **Google (2010–Present):** Cohen joined Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, in 2010, applying his research background to the internet and software industry.

### Professional Identifiers and Registries
Cohen is recognized in several specialized databases that track mathematical and technical contributions:
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project:** Registered under ID 78664.
*   **zbMATH:** Identified as author cohen.norman-h.
*   **IEEE Xplore:** Indexed under author ID 37446225100.
*   **Mathematical Reviews (MR):** Indexed under author ID 427005.

## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project