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Dr. Corey Cochrane

Research Scientist / Technologist

About

Bio

Dr. Corey Jonathan Cochrane is a Research Scientist and Technologist in the Planetary Interiors and Geophysics group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). His research focuses on the measurement and interpretation of magnetic fields and plasmas in space to characterize planetary interiors and to assess their potential for harboring subsurface water.

Corey primarily works on NASA’s Europa Clipper mission as a Co-Investigator, Investigation Scientist, and Calibration Lead for the Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM); Co-Investigator and Investigation Scientist for the Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS); Co-Chair of the Interior Working Group (IWG); and Co-Chair of the JUICE/Clipper Steering Committee (JCSC). Outside of Europa Clipper, Corey’s strives to improve electromagnetic sounding techniques for detecting ocean worlds across the solar system, through the development of next-generation quantum magnetometers, novel ocean detection and characterization algorithms, and strategic design and formulation of future planetary mission concepts targeted for dynamic magnetic environments which provide powerful opportunities for exploration. He is the Principal Investigator of the optically pumped scalar–vector helium magnetometer (SVH) and the solid-state Silicon Carbide Magnetometer (SiCMag) currently being developed at JPL.

Corey obtained his Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State, where he used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study spin-dependent transport in quantum centers for magnetic field sensing. He also holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Penn State with emphases in signal processing and machine learning. Before joining JPL in 2013 as a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, he spent two summers at NASA Ames developing biologically inspired robotics using neural networks and two years at Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems working in the DSP algorithms group.

Education

  • Ph.D. Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State University, 2013
  • M.S. Electrical Engineering, Penn State University, 2007
  • B.S. Electrical Engineering, Penn State University, 2004

Research Interests

Science:

  • Planetary Magnetic Field Modeling, Planetary Interior Induction Modeling, Magnetosphere-Moon Interactions, Plasma Physics, Raman Spectroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (EPR / NMR / EDMR / ODMR), Quantum Spin Transport in Materials

Signal Processing:

  • Digital Signal Processing, Adaptive Filtering, Image Processing, Forward/Inverse Mathematical Modeling, Artificial Neural Networks, Radar Signal Processing, Fourier Analysis, Wavelets, Spherical Harmonics

Instrument Development:

  • Magnetometers (solid-state, optically pumped alkali gas, fluxgate), FMCW Doppler Radar, Raman Spectrometers, Magnetic Resonance Spectrometers (EPR / NMR / EDMR / ODMR)  

Experience

Professional Experience

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, Planetary Interiors and Geophysics - Scientist (2022 – present)
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, Advanced Optical and Electro-Mechanical Microsystems – Technologist (2015 – 2022)
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, NASA Postdoc Program (NPP) (2013-2015)
  • Penn State University, University Park PA, PhD Graduate Research Assistant (2010-2013)
  • Boeing Space & Intelligent Systems, El Segundo CA, SatComm DSP Algorithms (2008-2010)
  • Penn State University, University Park PA, MS Graduate Research Assistant (2004-2007)
  • NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View CA, NASA USRP Intern (2003 - 2004)

Achievements

Awards & Recognitions

  • JPL Team Award | For work performed formulating Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission concept (2025)
  • JPL Team Award | For outstanding anomaly investigation and rapid build/verification of harness critical to ECM’s functionality (2025)
  • JPL Voyager Award | For leadership in the analysis of the first in-flight science data from the Europa Clipper Magnetometer (2025)
  • JPL Voyager Award | For the completion of instrument delivery and integration of ECM and PIMS on Europa Clipper (2024)
  • People Leadership Award | Leadership Mentoring Program for demonstrating technical leadership on a flight project and science/technology program (2024)
  • JPL Team Award | for Europa Clipper Investigation Scientists for development of the Science Strategic Planning Guide (2023)
  • JPL Team Award | For ECM electronics teams for resolution of the op-amp noise anomaly associated with Europa Clipper Magnetometer electronics (2023)
  • JPL Team Award | For performing a successful calibration of the Europa Clipper Magnetometer (2023)
  • JPL Voyager Award | For Europa Clipper spacecraft magnetic field modeling (2022)
  • NASA Award | Group Achievement Award | For successful delivery of the Europa Clipper Magnetometer (2022)
  • JPL Award | Charles Elachi Award: for outstanding work on the development and validation of ocean detection algorithms to enable future Ocean World missions. (2021)
  • JPL Team Award | For Europa Clipper Magnetometer team executing a successful Instrument CDR (2021)
  • JPL Team Award | For Investigation Scientist team completing science requirements in support for V&V requirement development activities (2020)
  • Professional Society and External Organization Awards | Penn State University - Engineering Science and Mechanics Department | Early Career Recognition Alumni Award (2019)
  • JPL Voyager Award | For work performed for the Europa Clipper Magnetometer investigation (2019)
  • JPL Team Award | For work performed for the Europa Clipper ICEMAG investigation (2018)
  • The Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication | Vectorized magnetometer for space applications using electrical readout of atomic scale defects in silicon carbide (2017)
  • JPL Team Award | For work performed by Europa Clipper Investigation Scientist Team (2017)
  • JPL Voyager Award | For writing a successful NASA PICASSO proposal for developing a next-generation quantum-based magnetometer (2016)
  • Professional Society and External Organization Awards | Penn State University - Electrical Engineering Department | Early Career Recognition Alumni Award (2015)
  • Professional Society and External Organization Awards | Penn State University - Engineering Science and Mechanics Department | Dr. Paul A. Lester Memorial Award for outstanding research by an ESM graduate student (2013)

Publications

  1. Cochrane, C. J., et al., 2025. Europa Clipper Magnetometer Boom Deployment: A First Look at the Magnetometer Observations of the Spacecraft and the Interplanetary Magnetic Field, Space Sci Rev 221, 115 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-025-01238-7
  2. Cochrane, C. J., et al., 2025. Stronger evidence of a subsurface ocean within Callisto from a multifrequency investigation of its induced magnetic field. AGU Advances, 6, 1. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024AV001237
  3. Gottscholl, A., Kraus, H., Aichinger, T., Cochrane, C. J. 2025. Photoexcitation-assisted EDMR on SiC JFETs for quantum sensing applications. Applied Physics Letters, 127, 214001. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0287211
  4. Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2025. On the Detection of Subsurface Oceans within Triton and Pluto, Triton and Pluto, IOP Publishing, 2514-3433, pp. 8-1 to 8-24. https://doi.org/10.1088/2514-3433/ad5278
  5. Jasinski, J.M., Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2025. The anomalous state of Uranus’s magnetosphere during the Voyager 2 flyby. Nature Astronomy 9, 66–74 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02389-3
  6. Petricca, F., …, Cochrane, C.J., et al. 2025. Partial differentiation of Europa and implications for the origin of materials in the Jupiter system. Nature Astronomy, 9, 501-511. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02469-4
  7. Dang, K. ... , Cochrane, C.J., et al. Novel Approach to Spacecraft System Level Magnetic Test at Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Signal & Power Integrity, Raleigh, NC, USA, 2025, pp. 190-197. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMCSIPI52291.2025.11169792.
  8. Cochrane C. J., et al., 2024. On detecting and characterizing planetary oceans in the solar system using a distance-based ensemble modelling approach: application to the Uranus system. Philosophical Transactions A of the Royal Society A, 382, 2286. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2024.0086
  9. Gottscholl, A., …, Cochrane, C.J., 2024. Enhancing the electrical readout of the spin-dependent recombination current in SiC JFETs for EDMR based magnetometry using a tandem (de-)modulation technique. Nature Scientific Reports 14, 14283. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64595-3
  10. Gottscholl, A., Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2023. Operation Modes of an Optically Pumped 6H SiC Quantum/Solid-State Magnetometer, IEEE Sensors Journal, 24, 11, pp. 17596-17603. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2024.3391191
  11. Romero-Wolf, A., …, Cochrane, C. J., et al. (2024). Feasibility of passive sounding of Uranian moons using Uranian Kilometric radiation. Earth and Space Science, 11, 2. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EA003013
  12. Styczinski, M. J. and Cochrane, C. J. (2024). PlanetMag: Software for evaluation of outer planet magnetic fields and corresponding excitations at their moons. Earth and Space Science, 11, 6. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EA003552
  13. Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2023. Magnetic Field Modeling and Visualization of the Europa Clipper Spacecraft, Space Science Reviews, 219, 34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00974-y
  14. Kivelson, M.G., …, Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2023. The Europa Clipper Magnetometer, Space Science Reviews, 219, 48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00989-5
  15. Westlake, J.H., …, Cochrane, C. J. et al., 2023. The Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) on the Europa Clipper Mission, Space Science Reviews, 219, 62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-01002-9
  16. Petricca, F., Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2023. Characterization of Icy Moon Hydrospheres Through Joint Inversion of Gravity and Magnetic Field Measurements, Geophysical Research Letters, 50, 7. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104016
  17. Roberts, J.H., …, Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2023. Exploring the Interior of Europa with the Europa Clipper, Space Science Reviews, 219, 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00990-y
  18. Weiss, B.W., …, Cochrane, C.J., et. al, 2023. The Psyche Magnetometry Investigation, Space Science Reviews, 219 (3), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-00965-z
  19. Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2022. Single- and Multi-Pass Magnetometric Subsurface Ocean Detection and Characterization in Icy Worlds Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA): Application to Triton, Earth and Space Science, 9, 2. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EA002034
  20. Daigavane, A.S., …, Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2022. Unsupervised detection of Saturn magnetic field boundary crossings from plasma spectrometer data, Computers and Geoscience, 161, 105040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2022.105040
  21. Cochrane, C. J., et al., 2021. In Search of Subsurface Oceans within the Uranian Moons, JGR Planets, 126, 12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JE006956
  22. Vance, S.D., …, Cochrane, C.J., et al, 2021. Magnetic induction responses of Jupiter's ocean moons including effects from adiabatic convection, JGR Planets, 126,2. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006418
  23. Liuzzo,L., ..., Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2021. Triton's Interaction with Neptune's Magnetospheric Plasma, JGR: Space Physics, 126, 11. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029740
  24. Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2020. An FPGA-based signal processor for FMCW Doppler radar and spectroscopy, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 58, 8. https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2020.2967212
  25. Cooper, K.B., ..., Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2020. A Compact, Low Power Consumption, and Highly Sensitive 95 GHz Doppler Radar, IEEE Sensors Journal 20 (11), 5865-5875. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2020.2972535
  26. Cooper, K., Durden, S., Cochrane, C.J., 2017. Using FMCW Doppler Radar to Detect Targets up to the Max. Unambiguous Range, IEEE TRGS, 99, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1109/LGRS.2016.2640954
  27. Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2016. Vectorized magnetometer for space applications using electrical readout of atomic scale defects in silicon carbide, Nature Scientific Reports 6, 37077. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep37077
  28. Blacksberg, J., …, C.J. Cochrane, et al., 2016. A Miniaturized Time-Resolved Raman Spectrometer for Planetary Science Based on a Fast Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) Detector Array, Applied Optics, 55 (4), pp: 739-748. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.55.000739
  29. Cochrane, C.J., et al., 2015. A fast classification scheme in Raman spectroscopy for the identification of mineral mixtures using a large database with correlated predictors, IEEE TRGS, 53, 8, pp: 4259-4274. https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2015.2394377