Menas C. Kafatos (Greek: Μηνάς Καφάτος; born 25 March 1945) is a Greek-born American physicist and a writer on spirituality and science.

[1] After postdoctoral work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, he joined George Mason University and was University Professor of Interdisciplinary Sciences from 1984-2008, where he also served as dean of the School of Computational Sciences and director of the Center for Earth Observing and Space Research.

[3][4] Kafatos' peer-reviewed research has focused on cosmology, astrophysics, natural hazards, climate change, Earth system science, and remote sensing.

[5] Notable scientific contributions include enhancements to synthetic tropical cyclone (hurricane) circulations used in forecast models,[6] new perspectives on the self organization of the universe through the lens of complexity,[7][8] a detailed look at the relationship between vegetation in the United States and El Niño/Southern Oscillation,[9] and a better understanding of dust and aerosols over India.

His brother, Fotis Kafatos, was a biologist and founder and honorary president of the European Research Council (ERC).