Space Physicist Galand wins the Fernand Holweck Medal and Prize

Dr Marina Galand, Reader in Planetary Sciences, is recognised for her advanced plasma models which are used to interpret the data from space missions.

Dr Marina Galand from the Space and Atmospheric Physics Group has won the prestigious Fernand Holweck Medal and Prize. The prize is given jointly in alternate years by the councils of the Institute of Physics and French Physical Society, selected by one society from a list of nominees submitted by the other society.

Dr Galand develops highly sophisticated kinetic and fluid models to predict and interpret the observations from space missions, such as Rosetta, Cassini, and Venus Express. From data collected on the recent Rosetta mission to comet 67P, she was able to fully determine the ion composition and make-up of cometary plasma around the nucleus.

Her state-of-the-art models combine datasets from several instruments, optimising the scientific return from space missions. She is a Co-Investigator for the plasma and the UV instruments on the European Space Agency JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) mission, which plans to launch in 2022 and has the moon Ganymede as a main target.

Alongside her research, Dr Galand is involved with several high-profile public engagement activities to increase the public’s interest and understanding in space science. She participated to “A Comet Revealed” at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition in 2016 and “Catch A Comet” in 2014. Her research group has also run popular stands at several Imperial Fringe Festivals.

I was lucky enough to be taught Atmospheric Physics by Dr Galand during my undergraduate degree, and was consistently amazed by her enthusiasm and commitment to us enjoying the course. She was awarded the Faculty of Natural Sciences Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2015 and shortlisted for this year’s Student Academic Choice Awards for Best Undergraduate Teaching. It is a true honour to work alongside her in the physics department.