Dr Beatriz Sánchez-Cano

I am a planetary scientist specializing in the interactions between planetary environments and the solar wind, with a particular focus on Mars. I currently hold an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship and serve as a Lecturer at the University of Leicester.

My academic journey began with a PhD at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, during which I undertook extended research stays at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Netherlands, and at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Italy. In 2014, I joined the University of Leicester as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, transitioning to a faculty position in 2021.

I actively contribute to several space missions. I am a Guest Investigator on ESA’s BepiColombo mission to Mercury, and a Co-Investigator on the Mars Express mission, where I co-lead the radar ionospheric observations. I am also involved in a range of current and upcoming Mars missions, including leading the ESA Medium-class (M7) mission proposal, M-MATISSE, which is dedicated to exploring Mars’ plasma environment and is currently in Phase-A of study at ESA.

I serve as an editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, a leading publication of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) dedicated to advancing planetary science. 

My research focuses on the interactions between terrestrial planets and the solar wind, as well as the propagation of solar events through the interplanetary medium. These processes are key to understanding planetary space environments, atmospheric escape, and the broader dynamics of the heliosphere.

I investigate how solar wind particles and electromagnetic fields interact with planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres, particularly in the case of Mars, which lacks a global magnetic field. This includes studying plasma boundaries, ionospheric responses, and the role of solar activity in shaping planetary atmospheres.

In parallel, I study the propagation of solar transients, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs), as they travel through the solar system. This work contributes to space weather forecasting and helps assess the impact of solar activity on planetary environments and spacecraft operations.

My research is closely linked to several space missions, including Mars Express, BepiColombo, and future ESA mission proposals such as M-MATISSE, which aims to explore Mars’ plasma environment in unprecedented detail.

Sanchez-Cano, B. (2025) ‘The plasma environment of Mars’, Oxford Encyclopedia. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190647926.013.164

Sánchez-Cano, B., Hadid, L.Z., Aizawa, S. et al. (2025) ‘BepiColombo cruise science: overview of the mission contribution to heliophysics’, Earth, Planets and Space, 77, p.114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-025-02256-z

G. Kinoshita, B. Sanchez-Cano et al., (2025). Spatio-Temporal Evolution of the March 2022 ICME Revealed by Multi-Point Observations of Forbush Decreases, Accepted at ApJ.

J. Parrott, B. Sanchez-Cano et al., (2025). Martian Ionospheric Response during the May 2024 Solar Superstorm, Accepted at Nature Communications.

Harada, Y., Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M. and Ippolito, A. (2025) ‘Short-wave fadeout on Mars: Radio absorption in the dayside Martian ionosphere enhanced by solar flares’, Icarus, 425, p.116342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116342

Meggi, D., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘The role of the magnetic field orientation on the variability of the Martian topside ionosphere using MARSIS-Mars Express data’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 130, e2024JE008667. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008667

Ippolito, A., Sánchez-Cano, B. and Harada, Y. (2025) ‘Effects of the September 2014 coronal mass ejection chain in the inner Solar System and the response of the Martian ionosphere’, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 695, A225. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202453169

Hajdas, W., Gonçalves, P., Pinto, M. et al. (including Sanchez-Cano, B.) (2025) ‘The JUICE Radiation Environment Monitor, RADEM’, Space Science Reviews, 221, p.43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-025-01163-9

Dresing, N., Jebaraj, I.C., Wijsen, N. et al. (Sánchez-Cano, B. among others) (2025) ‘The reason for the widespread energetic storm particle event of 13 March 2023’, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 695, A127. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202453596

Cañizares, L.A., Badman, S.T., Chrysaphi, N., Bhunia, S., Sánchez-Cano, B., Maloney, S.A. and Gallagher, P.T. (2025) ‘Electron beam propagation and radio-wave scattering in the inner heliosphere using five spacecraft’, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 696, A124. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202452877

Rojas Mata, S., Barabash, S., Voshchepynets, A., Holmström, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M. et al. (2025) ‘Spacecraft discharge time constants determined from electron-flux suppression during sounding-radar operation at Mars’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 130, e2024JA033608. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JA033608

Hendrix, A.R., Määttänen, A., Montési, L.G.J., Rogers, A.D., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘Thank you to our 2024 reviewers and volunteers’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 130, e2025JE009091. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009091

Cartacci, M., Sanchez-Cano, B., Cicchetti, A., Noschese, R., Langlais, B. and Orosei, R. (2025) ‘Mars ionosphere TEC estimation from MARSIS data: A new approach’, Icarus, 434, p.116545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116545

Holmström, M., Voshchepynets, A., Barabash, S., Rojas Mata, S., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘Mars Express investigations of the Martian ionosphere using ASPERA-3 and new MARSIS fixed frequency modes’, Advances in Space Research, 75(7), pp.5899–5910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2025.02.005

Tian, R., Jiang, C., Fowler, C.M., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘Sporadic E-like Topside Layer Driven by Wind Shear in the Martian Ionosphere’, The Astrophysical Journal, 981, p.65. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adaaeb

Palmerio, E., Kay, C., Al-Haddad, N., Lynch, B.J., Trotta, D., Yu, W., Ledvina, V.E., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘A coronal mass ejection encountered by four spacecraft within 1 au from the Sun: ensemble modelling of propagation and magnetic structure’, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 536, pp.203–222. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stae2606

Riley, P., Ben-Nun, M., González-Avilés, J.J., Palmerio, E., Török, T., Linker, J.A., Kouloumvakos, A., Romeo, O.M., Ervin, T., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘Understanding the global structure of the September 5, 2022, coronal mass ejection using sunRunner3D’, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate. https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2025010

Regan, C.E., Coates, A.J., Lester, M., Wellbrock, A., Jones, G.H., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘Effects of the 2018 Martian Global Dust Storm on Boundary Positions in the Induced Magnetosphere’, Planetary Science Journal. https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/add2f8

Parrot, J., Svedhem, H., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2025) ‘Ionospheric Analysis with Martian Mutual Radio Occultation’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. 130, e2024JE008854. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008854

Simon R G Joyce, Katerina Stergiopoulou, Caitlin J R Hanna, Dhruv Singhvi, Mark Lester, Beatriz Sanchez-Cano, A convolutional neural network for analysis of active ionospheric sounding data from the Mars Express MARSIS instrument, RAS Techniques and Instruments, Volume 4, 2025, rzaf018, https://doi.org/10.1093/rasti/rzaf018

Stumpo, M., et al., 2025 (including B. Sanchez-Cano). In-depth Analysis of the 2022 March 28 3He-rich Solar Energetic Particle Event. The Astrophysical Journal, 987(1), p.80. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/add5f1.

C.M. Fowler et al., (including B. Sanchez-Cano), 2025. Whistler wave mode generation via large amplitude steepened magnetic structures propagating through the Martian ionosphere. Front. Astron. Space Sci. Sec. Planetary Science. Pending DOI.

Khoo, L.Y., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘The 15–16 February Widespread Solar Energetic Particle Event’, The Astrophysical Journal, 963, p.107. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad167f

Peter, K., Sánchez-Cano, B., Nemec, F., González-Galindo, F., Kopf, A.J., Lester, M., Pätzold, M., Regan, C.E. and Holmström, M. (2024) ‘The Ionosphere of Mars After 20 Years of Mars Express Contributions’, Space Science Reviews, 220, p.41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-024-01078-x

Holmström, M., Lester, M. and Sanchez-Cano, B. (2024) ‘Future opportunities in solar system plasma science through ESA’s exploration programme’, npj Microgravity, 10, p.29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-024-00373-9

Lopez-Montes, J. and Sanchez-Cano, B. (2024) ‘Testing sonification with granular synthesis and visual reconstruction with spectrograms of the MARSIS instrument’, in Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics XII. Proceedings of the XVI Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society, Granada, Spain, July 15–19, 2024.

Ma, M., Yang, L., Shen, F., Shen, C., Chi, Y., Wang, Y., Zhou, Y., Zhang, M., Heyner, D., Auster, U., Richter, I. and Sanchez-Cano, B. (2024) ‘Interplanetary Rotation of 2021 December 4 Coronal Mass Ejection on its Journey to Mars’, The Astrophysical Journal. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8a5a

Edberg, N.J.T. et al. (including Sanchez-Cano, B.) (2024) ‘Extent of the magnetotail of Venus from the Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe and BepiColombo flybys’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 129, e2024JA032603. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JA032603

Viet, S., Knutsen, E.W., Witasse, O., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Detecting solar energetic particle events and their impacts on Mars with the SWEET algorithm’, IAC-24,A3,IP,38,x89015. https://doi.org/10.52202/078357-0126

Tripathi, K.R., Imamura, T., Choudhary, R.K., Sánchez-Cano, B. and Ambili, K.M. (2024) ‘Do solar energetic particle (SEP) events influence the formation of the V0 layer in the Venusian ionosphere?’, Geophysical Research Letters, 51, e2024GL109724. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL109724

Tian, R., Jiang, C., Sánchez-Cano, B., Yin, W., Yang, G., Liu, T. and Hu, Y. (2024) ‘On the gravity wave-seeded ionospheric irregularities in the Martian ionosphere’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 129, e2024JE008323. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008323

Regan, C.E., Coates, A.J., Lester, M., Wellbrock, A., Jones, G.H., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Effects of the 2007 Martian Global Dust Storm on Boundary Positions in the Induced Magnetosphere’, The Planetary Science Journal, 5, p.130 (16pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad4116

Parrott, J., Svedhem, H., Witasse, O., Wilson, C., Müller-Wodarg, I., Cardesín-Moinelo, A., Schmitz, P., Godfrey, J., Reboud, O., Geiger, B., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘First results of Mars Express—ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mutual radio occultation’, Radio Science, 59, e2023RS007873. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023RS007873

Chian, A., Miranda, R., Bertucci, C., Blanco-Cano, X., Borovsky, J., Dasso, S., Echer, E., Franco, A., Girgis, K.M., González-Esparza, J.A., Hada, T., Hasegawa, H., Hsieh, S.-Y., Kajdič, P., Mazelle, C., Rempel, E., Rojas-Castillo, D., Sánchez-Cano, B., Sibeck, D., Stepanova, M., Valdés-Galicia, J., Valdivia, J. (2024) ‘Terrestrial and Martian space weather: A complex systems approach’, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar–Terrestrial Physics, 259, p.106253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2024.106253

Harada, Y., Fujiwara, Y., Lillis, R.J., Deighan, J., Nakagawa, H., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Discrete aurora and the nightside ionosphere of Mars: an EMM–MEX conjunction of FUV imaging, ionospheric radar sounding, and suprathermal electron measurements’, Earth, Planets and Space, 76, p.64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-024-02010-x

Palmerio, E., Luhmann, J.G., Mays, M.L., Caplan, R.M., Lario, D., Richardson, I.G., Whitman, K., Lee, C.O., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Improved modelling of SEP event onset within the WSA–Enlil–SEPMOD framework’, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2024001

Gerekos, C., Steinbrügge, G., Jebaraj, I.C., Casillas, A., Donini, E., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Observation of solar radio burst events from Mars orbit with the Shallow Radar instrument’, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 683, A56. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202347900

Zhong, Z., Shen, C., Chi, Y., Mao, D., Miao, B., Fu, Z., Liu, J., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Prediction for Arrival Time and Parameters of Corotation Interaction Regions using Earth–Mars Correlated Events from Tianwen-1, MAVEN, and Wind Observations’, The Astrophysical Journal, 965, p.114 (10pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad2fab

Palmerio, E., Carcaboso, F., Khoo, L.Y., Salman, T.M., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘On the Mesoscale Structure of CMEs at Mercury’s Orbit: BepiColombo and Parker Solar Probe Observations’, The Astrophysical Journal, 963, p.108. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad1ab4

Rimbot, T., Witasse, O., Pinto, M., Knutsen, E.W., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Galactic cosmic rays at 0.7 A.U. with Venus Express housekeeping data’, Planetary and Space Science, 242, p.105867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2024.105867

Campbell, B., Morgan, G. and Sánchez-Cano, B. (2024) ‘SHARAD mapping of Mars dayside ionosphere patterns: Relationship to regional geology and the magnetic field’, Geophysical Research Letters, 51, e2023GL105758. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105758

Strauss, R.D., Dresing, N., Engelbrecht, N.E., Mitchell, J.G., Kühl, P., Jensen, S., Fleth, S., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2024) ‘Jovian Electrons in the Inner Heliosphere: Opportunities for Multi-spacecraft Observations and Modeling’, The Astrophysical Journal, 961, p.57. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad11db

Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Orosei, R., Cartacci, M., Witasse, O., Blelly, P.-L. and Kofman, W. (2023) ‘Comparison of the ionosphere of Mars at two solar minima as seen by MEX-MARSIS’, Icarus, 393, p.114616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114616

Sanchez-Cano, B. (2023) ‘Mars’ ionosphere: The key for systematic exploration of the red planet’, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.1101945

Sánchez-Cano, B., Witasse, O., Knutsen, E.W., Meggi, D., Viet, S., Lester, M. et al. (2023) ‘Solar energetic particle events detected in the housekeeping data of the European Space Agency's spacecraft flotilla in the Solar System’, Space Weather, 21, e2023SW003540. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023SW003540

Lee, C.O., Sanchez-Cano, B., DiBraccio, G.A., Mayyasi, M., Xu, S., Chamberlin, P., Davies, E., Scolini, C., Filwett, R.J., Ramstad, R., Palmerio, E., Lynch, B.J., Luhmann, J.G., Ehresmann, B., Guo, J., Allen, R.C., Vines, S., Winslow, R., Elliott, H. (2023) ‘Heliophysics and Space Weather Science at 1.5 AU: Knowledge Gaps and Need for Solar and Solar Wind Monitors at Mars’, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 10:1064208. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2023.1064208

Yu, B., Chi, Y., Owens, M., Scott, C.J., Shen, C., Xue, X., Barnard, L., Zhang, T., Heyner, D., Auster, H.-U., Richter, I., Guo, J., Sánchez-Cano, B. (2023) ‘Tianwen-1 and MAVEN Observations of the Response of Mars to an Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection’, The Astrophysical Journal, 953, p.105 (10pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/acdcf8

Wijsen, N., Lario, D. and Sánchez-Cano, B. (2023) ‘The Effect of the Ambient Solar Wind Medium on a CME-driven Shock and the Associated Gradual Solar Energetic Particle Event’, The Astrophysical Journal, 950, p.172 (10pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/acd1ed

Chi, Y., Shen, C., Liu, J., Zhong, Z., Owens, M., Scott, C., Barnard, L., Yu, B., Heyner, D., Auster, H.-U., Richter, I., Wang, Y., Zhang, T., Guo, J., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2023) ‘The Dynamic Evolution of Multipoint Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Observed with BepiColombo, Tianwen-1, and MAVEN’, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 951, L14 (10pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acd7e7

Dresing, N., Rodríguez-García, L., Jebaraj, I.C., Warmuth, A., Wallace, S., Balmaceda, L., Podladchikova, T., Strauss, R.D., Kouloumvakos, A., Palmroos, C., Krupar, V., Gieseler, J., Xu, Z., Mitchell, J.G., Cohen, C.M.S., de Nolfo, G.A., Palmerio, E., Carcaboso, F., Kilpua, E.K.J., Trotta, D., Auster, U., Asvestari, E., da Silva, D., Dröge, W., Getachew, T., Gómez-Herrero, R., Grande, M., Heyner, D., Holmström, M., Huovelin, J., Kartavykh, Y., Laurenza, M., Lee, C.O., Mason, G., Maksimovic, M., Mieth, J., Murakami, G., Oleynik, P., Pinto, M., Pulupa, M., Richter, I., Rodríguez-Pacheco, J., Sánchez-Cano, B., Schuller, F., Ueno, H., Vainio, R., Vecchio, A., Veronig, A.M., Wijsen, N. (2023) ‘The 17 April 2021 widespread solar energetic particle event’, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 674, A105. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202345938

Pacios, D., Vazquez-Poletti, J.L., Sanchez-Cano, B., Moreno-Vozmediano, R., Schetakis, N., Vazquez, L. and Titov, D.V. (2023) ‘Serverless architecture for data processing and detecting anomalies with the Mars Express MARSIS instrument’, The Astronomical Journal, 166, p.19 (11pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acd18d

Jackson, B.V., Tokumaru, M., Iwai, K., Bracamontes, M.T., Buffington, A., Fujiki, K., Murakami, G., Heyner, D., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2023) ‘Forecasting Heliospheric CME Solar-Wind Parameters Using the UCSD Time-Dependent Tomography and ISEE Interplanetary Scintillation Data: The 10 March 2022 CME’, Solar Physics, 298, p.74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-023-02169-8

Burne, S., Bertucci, C., Sergis, N., Morales, L.F., Achilleos, N., Sanchez-Cano, B., Collado-Vega, Y., Dasso, S., Edberg, N.J.T. and Kurth, B.S. (2023) ‘Space Weather in the Saturn-Titan System’, The Astrophysical Journal, 948, p.37. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/acc738

Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Andrews, D.J., Opgenoorth, H., Lillis, R., Leblanc, F., Fowler, C.M., Fang, X., Vaisberg, O., Mayyasi, M., Holmberg, M., Guo, J., Hamrin, M., Mazelle, C., Peter, K., Pätzold, M., Stergiopoulou, K., Goetz, C., Ermakov, V.N., Shuvalov, S., Wild, J.A., Blelly, P.-L., Mendillo, M., Bertucci, C., Cartacci, M., Orosei, R., Chu, F., Kopf, A.J., Girazian, Z. and Roman, M.T. (2022) ‘Mars’ plasma system. Scientific potential of coordinated multipoint missions: “The next generation”’, Experimental Astronomy, 54, pp.641–676. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-021-09790-0

Pinto, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Moissl, R., Cardoso, C., Gonçalves, P., Assis, P., Vainio, R., Oleynik, P., Lehtolainen, A., Grande, M. and Marques, A. (2022) ‘The BepiColombo Radiation Monitor, BERM’, Space Science Reviews, 218, p.54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-022-00922-2

Lester, M., Sanchez-Cano, B., Potts, D., Lillis, R., Cartacci, M., Bernardini, F. et al. (2022) ‘The impact of energetic particles on the Martian ionosphere during a full solar cycle of radar observations: Radar blackouts’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2021JA029535. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029535

Persson, M., Aizawa, S., André, N., Barabash, S., Saito, Y., Harada, Y., Heyner, D., Orsini, S., Fedorov, A., Mazelle, C., Futaana, Y., Hadid, L.Z., Volwerk, M., Collinson, G., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2022) ‘BepiColombo’s scenic tour at Venus reveals a large stagnation region’, Nature Communications, 13, p.7743. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-35061-3

Wellbrock, A., Jones, G.H., Dresing, N., Coates, A.J., Wedlund, C.S., Nilsson, H., Sanchez-Cano, B., Palmerio, E., Turc, L., Myllys, M., Henri, P., Goetz, C., Witasse, O., Nordheim, T.A. and Mandt, K. (2022) ‘Observations of a Solar Energetic Particle event from inside and outside the coma of Comet 67P’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2022JA030398. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JA030398

Withers, P., Felici, M., Mendillo, M., Vogt, M.F., Barbinis, E., Kahan, D., Oudrhiri, K., Gray, C., Lee, C.O., Xu, S., Lester, M., Sanchez-Cano, B., Jakosky, B.M. and Curry, S. (2022) ‘Observations of high densities at low altitudes in the nightside ionosphere of Mars by the MAVEN Radio Occultation Science Experiment (ROSE)’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2022JA030737. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JA030737

Telloni, D., Adhikari, L., Zank, G.P., Hadid, L.Z., Sánchez-Cano, B., Sorriso-Valvo, L. et al. (2022) ‘Observation and Modeling of the Solar Wind Turbulence Evolution in the Sub-Mercury Inner Heliosphere’, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 938, L8 (8pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac9624

Telloni, D., Zank, G.P., Sorriso-Valvo, L., D'Amicis, R., Panasenco, O., Susino, R., Bruno, R., Perrone, D., Adhikari, L., Liang, H., Nakanotan, M., Zhao, L., Hadid, L.Z., Sanchez-Cano, B. et al. (2022) ‘Linking Small-Scale Solar Wind Properties with Large-Scale Coronal Source Regions through Joint Parker Solar Probe Metis/Solar Orbiter Observations’, The Astrophysical Journal, 935, p.112 (13pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac8103

Alberti, T., Hadid, L.Z., Mangano, V. and Sanchez-Cano, B. (2022) ‘Editorial: Interplanetary medium variability as observed in the new era of spacecraft missions’, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 9:1002727. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.1002727

Sánchez-Bayton, M., Herraiz, M., Martin, P., Sánchez-Cano, B., Tréguier, E. and Kereszturi, A. (2022) ‘Morphometric and topographic data of small and medium size landforms in the Northern Circumpolar Region of Mars’, Data in Brief, 43, p.108417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2022.108417

Lario, D., Wijsen, N., Kwon, R.Y., Sánchez-Cano, B., Richardson, I.G., Pacheco, D., Palmerio, E., Stevens, M.L., Szabo, A., Heyner, D., Dresing, N., Gómez-Herrero, R., Carcaboso, F., Aran, A., Afanasiev, A., Vainio, R., Riihonen, E., Poedts, S., Brüden, M., Xu, Z.G. and Kollhoff, A. (2022) ‘Influence of large-scale interplanetary structures on the propagation of solar energetic particles: The multi-spacecraft event on 2021 October 9’, The Astrophysical Journal, 934, p.55. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac6efd

Aizawa, S., Persson, M., Menez, T., André, N., Modolo, R., Génot, V., Sanchez-Cano, B., Volwerk, M., Chaufray, J.-Y., Baskevitch, C., Heyner, D., Saito, Y., Harada, Y., Leblanc, F., Barthe, A., Penou, E., Fedorov, A., Sauvaud, J.-A., Yokota, S., Auster, U., Richter, I., Mieth, J., Horbury, T.S., Louarn, P., Owen, C.J. and Murakami, G. (2022) ‘LatHyS global hybrid simulation of the BepiColombo second Venus flyby’, Planetary and Space Science, 218, p.105499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2022.105499

Palmerio, E., Lee, C., Mays, M.L., Luhmann, J.G., Lario, D., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2022) ‘CMEs and SEPs during November–December 2020: A challenge for real-time space weather forecasting’, Space Weather, 20, e2021SW002993. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021SW002993

Garnier, P., Jacquey, C., Gendre, X., Génot, V., Mazelle, C., Fang, X., Gruesbeck, R., Sánchez-Cano, B. and Halekas, J.S. (2022) ‘The influence of crustal magnetic fields on the Martian bow shock location: A statistical analysis of MAVEN and Mars Express observations’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2021JA030146. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA030146

Garnier, P., Jacquey, C., Gendre, X., Génot, V., Mazelle, C., Fang, X., Gruesbeck, R., Sánchez-Cano, B. and Halekas, J.S. (2022) ‘The drivers of the Martian bow shock location: A statistical analysis of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN and Mars Express observations’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2021JA030147. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA030147

Sánchez-Bayton, M., Herraiz, M., Martin, P., Sánchez-Cano, B., Tréguier, E. and Kereszturi, A. (2022) ‘New candidate volcanic structures in Scandia Cavi and Olympia Undae, North Polar Region of Mars’, Planetary and Space Science, 210, p.105389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2021.105389

Cecconi, B., Witasse, O., Jackman, C.M., Sánchez-Cano, B. and Mays, M.L. (2022) ‘Effect of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection on Saturn’s radio emission’, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 9:800279. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.800279

Sefton-Nash, E., Thébault, G., Witasse, O., Koschn, D., Sánchez-Cano, B. and Cardesín-Moinelo, A. (2022) ‘Visibility analysis of Phobos to support a science and exploration platform’, Earth, Planets and Space, 73:215. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-021-01542-w

Stergiopoulou, K., Andrews, D.J., Edberg, N.J.T., Halekas, J., Lester, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Dimmock, A.P. and Gruesbeck, J.R. (2022) ‘A two-spacecraft study of Mars' induced magnetosphere's response to upstream conditions’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2021JA030227. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA030227

Gotz, C., Gunell, H., Volwerk, M., Beth, A., Eriksson, A., Galand, M., Henri, P., Nilsson, H., Wedlund, C.S., Alho, M., Andersson, L., André, N., De Keyser, J., Deca, J., Ge, Y., Glaßmeier, K.-H., Hajra, R., Karlsson, T., Kasahara, S., Kolmasova, I., Llera, K., Madanian, H., Mann, I., Mazelle, C., Odelstad, E., Plaschke, F., Rubin, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Snodgrass, C. and Vigren, E. (2022) ‘Cometary Plasma Science, A White Paper in response to the Voyage 2050 Call by the European Space Agency’, Experimental Astronomy, 54, pp.1129–1167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-021-09783-z

Kajdic, P., Sánchez-Cano, B., Neves-Ribeiro, L., Witasse, O., Bernal, G.C., Rojas-Castillo, D., Nilsson, H. and Fedorov, A. (2021) ‘Interaction of Space Weather Phenomena With Mars Plasma Environment During Solar Minimum 23/24’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126, e2020JA028442. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028442

Volwerk, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Heyner, D., Aizawa, S., André, N., Varsani, A., Mieth, J., Baumjohann, W., Harrison, R., Jeszenszky, H., Fischer, D., Kazumasa, I., Laky, G., Miyoshi, Y., Nakamura, R., Plaschke, F., Richter, I., Rojas Mata, S., Saito, Y., Schmid, D., Shiota, D. and Wedlund, C.S. (2021) ‘Venus’s induced magnetosphere during active solar wind conditions at BepiColombo’s Venus 1 flyby’, Annals of Geophysics, 39, pp.811–831. https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-811-2021

Hadid, L.Z., Genot, V., Aizawa, S., Milillo, A., Zender, J., Murukami, G., Benkhoff, J., Zouganelis, I., Alberti, T., André, N., Bebesi, Z., Califano, F., Dimmock, A.P., Dosa, M., Escoubet, C.P., Griton, L., Ho, G.C., Horbury, T.S., Iwai, K., Janvier, M., Kilpua, E., Lavraud, B., Madar, A., Miyoshi, Y., Muller, D., Pinto, R.F., Rouillard, A.P., Raines, J.M., Raouafi, N., Sahraoui, F., Sánchez-Cano, B., Shiota, D., Vainio, R. and Walsh, A. (2021) ‘BepiColombo’s cruise phase: unique opportunity for synergistic observations’, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 8:718024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2021.718024

Lillis, R.J., Mitchell, D., Montabone, L., Heavens, N., Harrison, T., Stuurman, C., Guzewich, S., England, S., Withers, P., Chaffin, M., Curry, S., Ao, C., Matousek, S., Barba, N., Woolley, R., Tripathi, A., Smith, I., Osinski, G., Kleinboh, A., Tamppari, L., Mischna, M., Smith, M., Wolff, M., Kahre, M., Spiga, A., Jakosky, B., Forget, F., Cantor, B., Deighan, J., Brecht, A., Bougher, S., Fowler, C., Andrews, D., Patzold, M., Peter, K., Tellman, S., Lester, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Luhmann, J., Leblanc, F., Halekas, J., Brain, D., Fang, X., Espley, J., Opgenoorth, H., Vaisberg, O., Hinson, D., Asmar, S., Vander Hook, J. and Karatekin, O. (2021) ‘MOSAIC: A satellite constellation to enable ground breaking Mars climate system science and prepare for human exploration’, Planetary Science Journal, 2, p.211 (59pp). https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ac0538

Heyner, D., Auster, H.-U., Fornacon, K.-H., Carr, C., Richter, I., Mieth, J.Z.D., Kolhey, P., Exner, W., Motschmann, U., Baumjohann, W., Matsuoka, A., Magnes, W., Berghofer, G., Fischer, D., Plaschke, F., Nakamura, R., Narita, Y., Delva, M., Volwerk, M., Balogh, A., Dougherty, M., Horbury, T., Langlais, B., Mandea, M., Masters, A., Oliveira, J.S., Sánchez-Cano, B., Slavin, J.A., Vennerstrom, S., Vogt, J. and Wicht, J. (2021) ‘The BepiColombo Planetary Magnetometer MPO-MAG: What can we Learn From the Hermean Magnetic Field?’, Space Science Reviews, 217, p.52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-021-00822-x

Palmerio, E., Nieves-Chinchilla, T., Kilpua, E.K.J., Barnes, D., Zhukov, A.N., Jian, L.K., Witasse, O., Provan, G., Tao, C., Lamy, L., Bradley, T.J., Mays, M.L., Mostl, C., Roussos, E., Futaana, Y., Masters, A., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2021) ‘Magnetic Structure and Propagation of Two Interacting CMEs from the Sun to Saturn’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126, e2021JA029770. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029770

Palmerio, E., Kilpua, E., Witasse, O., Barnes, D., Sánchez-Cano, B., Weiss, A., Nieves-Chinchilla, T., Moestl, C., Jian, L., Mierla, M., Zhukov, A., Guo, J., Rodriguez, L., Lowrance, P., Isavnin, A., Turc, L., Futaana, Y. and Holmström, M. (2021) ‘CME Magnetic Structure and IMF Preconditioning Affecting SEP Transport’, Space Weather, 19, e2020SW002654. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020SW002654

Knutsen, E.W., Witasse, O., Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R., Denis, M. and Godfrey, J. (2021) ‘Solar Cycle modulated Galactic Cosmic Rays at Mars and comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko’, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 650, A165. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140767

Sánchez–Cano, B., Lester, M., Witasse, O., Morgan, D.D., Opgenoorth, H., Andrews, D.J., Blelly, P.-L., Cowley, S.W.H., Kopf, A.J., Leblanc, F., Espley, J.R. and Cardesín-Moinelo, A. (2020) ‘Mars' ionospheric interaction with comet C/2013 A1 Siding‐Spring's coma at their closest approach as seen by Mars Express’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 125, e2019JA027344. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA027344

Sánchez–Cano, B., Narvaez, C., Lester, M., Mendillo, M., Mayyasi, M., Holmstrom, M., Halekas, J., Andersson, L., Fowler, C.M., McFadden, J.P. and Durward, S. (2020) ‘Mars’ ionopause: A matter of pressures’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 125, e2020JA028145. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028145

Burrell, A.G., Sánchez-Cano, B., Witasse, O., Lester, M. and Cartacci, M. (2020) ‘Comparison of Terrestrial and Martian TEC at Dawn and Dusk during Solstices’, Earth, Planets and Space, 72, p.140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-020-01258-3

Stergiopoulou, K., Andrews, D., Edberg, N., Halekas, J., Kopf, A., Lester, M., Opgenoorth, H. and Sánchez-Cano, B. (2020) ‘Mars Express Observations of Cold Plasma Structures in the Martian Magnetotail’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 125, e2020JA028056. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028056

Sánchez–Cano, B., Blelly, P.-L., Lester, M., Witasse, O., Cartacci, M., Orosei, R., Opgenoorth, H., Lillis, R., Leblanc, F., Milan, S.E., Conroy, P., Floury, N., Plane, J., Cicchetti, A., Noschese, R. and Kopf, A.J. (2019) ‘Origin of the extended Mars' HF radar blackout of September 2017’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 124, pp.4556–4568. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA026403

Hall, B.E.S., Sánchez–Cano, B., Wild, J., Lester, M. and Holmstrom, M. (2019) ‘The Martian bow shock over solar cycle 23-24 as observed by the Mars Express mission’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 124, pp.4761–4772. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA026404

Honig, T., Witasse, O.G., Evans, H., Nieminen, P., Kuulkers, E., Taylor, M.G.G.T., Heber, B., Guo, J. and Sánchez-Cano, B. (2019) ‘Multi-point galactic cosmic ray measurements between 1 and 4.5 AU over a full solar cycle’, Annales Geophysicae, 37, pp.903–918. https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-903-2019

Conroy, P., Quinsac, G., Floury, N., Witasse, O., Cartacci, M., Orosei, R., Kofman, W. and Sánchez-Cano, B. (2019) ‘A new method for determining the total electron content in Mars’ ionosphere based on Mars Express MARSIS data’, Planetary and Space Science, 182, p.104812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2019.104812

Cartacci, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Orosei, R., Noschese, R., Cicchetti, A., Witasse, O., Cantini, F. and Rossi, A.P. (2018) ‘Improved estimation of Mars ionosphere total electron content’, Icarus, 299, pp.396–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2017.07.033

Sánchez–Cano, B., Lester, M., Witasse, O., Blelly, P.-L., Indurain, M., Cartacci, M., González-Galindo, F. and Vicente-Retortillo, A. (2018) ‘Spatial, seasonal and solar cycle variations of the Martian total electron content (TEC): Is the TEC a good tracer for atmospheric cycles?’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 123, pp.1746–1759. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JE005626

Sánchez–Cano, B., Witasse, O., Lester, M., Rahmati, A., Ambrosi, R., Lillis, R., Leblanc, F., Blelly, P.-L., Costa, M., Cowley, S.W.H., Espley, J.R., Milan, S.E., Plaut, J.J., Lee, C. and Larson, D. (2018) ‘Energetic particle showers over Mars from comet C/2013 A1 Siding-Spring’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 123. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025454

Jiggens, P., Clavie, C., Evans, H., O'Brien, T., Witasse, O., Mishev, A., Nieminen, P., Daly, E., Kalegaev, V., Vlasova, N., Borisov, S., Benck, S., Cyamukungu, M., Mazur, J., Heynderickx, D., Sandberg, I., Berger, T., Usoskin, I., Paassilta, M., Vainio, R., Straube, U., Müller, D., Sánchez-Cano, B. et al. (2018) ‘In-Situ Data and Effect Correlation During September 2017 Solar Particle Event’, Space Weather, 17, pp.99–117. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018SW001936

Sánchez–Cano, B., Hall, B.E.S., Lester, M., Mays, M.L., Witasse, O., Ambrosi, R., Andrews, D., Cartacci, M., Cicchetti, A., Holmström, M., Imber, S., Kajdič, P., Milan, S.E., Noschese, R., Odstrcil, D., Opgenoorth, H., Plaut, J., Ramstad, R. and Reyes-Ayala, K.I. (2017) ‘Mars plasma system response to solar wind disturbances during solar minimum’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 122, pp.6611–6634. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JA023587

Witasse, O., Sánchez-Cano, B., Mays, M.L., Kajdič, P., Opgenoorth, H., Elliott, H.A., Richardson, I.G., Zouganelis, I., Zender, J., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R.F., Turc, L., Taylor, M.G.G.T., Roussos, E., Rouillard, A., Richter, I., Richardson, J.D., Ramstad, R., Provan, G., Posner, A., Plaut, J.J., Odstrcil, D., Nilsson, H., Nieminen, P., Milan, S.E., Mandt, K., Lohf, H., Lester, M., Lebreton, J.-P., Kuulkers, E., Krupp, N., Koenders, C., James, M.K., Intzekara, D., Holmstrom, M., Hassler, D.M., Hall, B.E.S., Guo, J., Goldstein, R., Goetz, C., Glassmeier, K.H., Génot, V., Evans, H., Espley, J., Edberg, N.J.T., Dougherty, M., Cowley, S.W.H., Burch, J., Behar, E., Barabash, S., Andrews, D.J. and Altobelli, N. (2017) ‘Interplanetary coronal mass ejection observed at STEREO-A, Mars, comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Saturn, and New Horizons en-route to Pluto. Comparison of its Forbush decreases at 1.4, 3.1 and 9.9 AU’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 122, pp.7865–7890. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA023884

Ilyushin, Y.A., Orosei, R., Witasse, O. and Sánchez-Cano, B. (2017) ‘CLUSIM: A synthetic aperture radar clutter simulator for planetary exploration’, Radio Science, 52, pp.1200–1213. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017RS006265

Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Witasse, O., Milan, S.E., Hall, B.E.S., Cartacci, M., Peter, K., Morgan, D.D., Blelly, P.-L., Radicella, S., Cicchetti, A., Noschese, R. and Orosei, R. (2016) ‘Solar cycle variations in the ionosphere of Mars as seen by multiple Mars Express datasets’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 121, pp.2547–2568. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA022281

Ramírez-Nicolás, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Witasse, O., Blelly, P.-L., Vázquez, L. and Lester, M. (2016) ‘The effect of the induced magnetic field on the electron density vertical profile of the Mars' ionosphere: a Mars Express MARSIS radar data analysis and interpretation, a case study’, Planetary and Space Science, 126, pp.49–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2016.03.017

Andrews, D.J., Barabash, S., Edberg, N.J.T., Gurnett, D.A., Hall, B.E.S., Holmstrom, M., Lester, M., Morgan, D.D., Opgenoorth, H.J., Ramstad, R., Sánchez-Cano, B., Way, M. and Witasse, O. (2016) ‘Plasma observations during the Mars atmospheric “plume" event of March-April 2012’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 121, pp.3139–3154. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA022023

Hall, B.E.S., Lester, M., Nichols, J., Sánchez-Cano, B., Andrews, D., Opgenoorth, H. and Fränz, M. (2016) ‘A survey of superthermal electron flux depressions, or 'electron holes', within the illuminated Martian induced magnetosphere’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 121, pp.4835–4857. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA021866

Hall, B.E.S., Lester, M., Sánchez-Cano, B., Nichols, J.D., Andrews, D.J., Edberg, N.J.T., Opgenoorth, H.J., Fränz, M., Holmström, M., Ramstad, R., Witasse, O., Cartacci, M., Cicchetti, A., Noschese, R. and Orosei, R. (2016) ‘Annual variations in the Martian bow shock location as observed by the Mars Express mission’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 121, pp.11474–11494. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JA023316

Sánchez-Cano, B., Morgan, D.D., Witasse, O., Radicella, S.M., Herraiz, M., Orosei, R., Cartacci, M., Cicchetti, A., Noschese, R., Kofman, W., Grima, C., Mouginot, J., Gurnett, D.A., Lester, M., Blelly, P.-L., Opgenoorth, H. and Quinsac, G. (2015) ‘Total Electron Content in the Martian atmosphere: A critical assessment of the Mars Express MARSIS data sets’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 120, pp.2166–2182. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JA020630

Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Witasse, O., Milan, S.E., Hall, B.E.S., Blelly, P.-L., Radicella, S.M. and Morgan, D.D. (2015) ‘Evidence of scale height variations in the Martian ionosphere over the solar cycle’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 120, pp.10913–10925. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA021949

Sánchez-Cano, B., Radicella, S.M., Herraiz, M., Witasse, O. and Rodríguez-Caderot, G. (2013) ‘NeMars: An empirical model of the Martian dayside ionosphere based on Mars Express MARSIS data’, Icarus, 225, pp.236–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2013.03.021

Sánchez-Cano, B., Witasse, O., Herraiz, M., Radicella, S.M., Bauer, J., Blelly, P.-L. and Rodríguez-Caderot, G. (2012) ‘Retrieval of ionospheric profiles from the Mars Express MARSIS experiment data and comparison with radio-occultation data’, Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems, 1, pp.77–84. https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-1-77-2012

PhD co-supervision, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.

Dr Marina Sánchez-Bayton

Thesis’ title: Investigación interdisciplinaria de la dinámica de la capa del polo norte de Marte (Interdisciplinary investigation of Mars’ northern polar cap dynamics)

Thesis defended: 7 July 2025.

Calification: Summa Cum Laude

PhD Supervision, Ms Dikshita Meggi, University of Leicester

Thesis’ title: The role of crustal magnetic fields on Mars’ ionospheric dynamics

Expected to finish: March 2026

PhD Supervision, Ms Caitlin Hanna, University of Leicester

Thesis’ title: Mars radiation environment

Expected to finish: March 2028

PhD co-supervision, Mr Alec McCrea, University of Leicester

Thesis’ title: Magnetosphere-surface interactions at Mercury

Expected to finish: March 2029

I contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at the University of Leicester, with a focus on space physics and planetary science. My teaching includes:

• PA3603 – The Space Environment
  An advanced module exploring the physical processes that govern planetary and space environments, including solar wind interactions, magnetospheres, and ionospheres.


• Physics Challenge
  A problem-solving and innovation module designed to stretch students’ analytical thinking and creativity through real-world physics challenges.


• Advanced Literature Review
  A research-focused module guiding students through critical analysis of scientific literature, helping them develop skills in synthesis, evaluation, and academic writing.


• Year 3 and 4 Research Projects
  Supervision of final-year undergraduate and integrated master's research projects, often aligned with current planetary science missions and data analysis from spacecraft observations.


• Research Supervision: 
  I supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on topics related to planetary atmospheres, solar wind interactions, and space mission data analysis. My group is actively involved in ESA and NASA missions and proposals, offering opportunities for early-career researchers to contribute to cutting-edge planetary science.

Throughout my career, I have been honoured with several awards and recognitions for my contributions to planetary science and space research:

2011–2014 – Pre-doctoral Research Fellowship, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

2013 & 2023 – ESA Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to the Mars Express Mission

2016 – “Tribute to the Woman” Award for professional career, Mora, Spain

2019–present – Guest Investigator, BepiColombo Mission (ESA/JAXA)

2020 – University of Leicester Research Staff Merit Award

2020 – Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists, European Geosciences Union (EGU)

2020–2021 – Honorary Collaborator, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

2021 – Shortlisted, Woman of the Future UK Awards (Science category)

2021–2026 – STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship

2022 – Fowler Award (Geophysics), Royal Astronomical Society

2024–present – Assessor, Spanish Government Commission on Geomagnetism and Aeronomy

Beatriz Sanchez-Cano: Bridging Science and Art Through Space Exploration

I love science communication, seamlessly blending planetary science with artistic expression. My outreach efforts span international collaborations, operatic productions, and innovative sonification of space data, making complex scientific concepts accessible and inspiring to diverse audiences.

Entanglement: An Entropic Tale

Organizer of Entanglement, a groundbreaking opera that merges quantum physics with the performing arts. Hosted at the University of Leicester, this unique production explores the mysteries of quantum entanglement through music, drama, and visual storytelling. It exemplifies the fusion of Arts and Sciences, offering audiences a novel way to engage with fundamental physics.

Guggenheim Chasmata Project

As a member of the Guggenheim Chasmata Project, I contributed to a pioneering artistic journey to Mars. This initiative celebrated the museum’s 20th anniversary by transforming Mars Express spacecraft data into music for a live saxophone concert. The event featured participation from astronauts aboard the International Space Station and was widely covered by Spanish media.

Scientific Outreach Publications

I have co-authored several outreach-focused publications that explore the artistic potential of space data:

Sonification of Mars Express Data: Testing sonification with granular synthesis and visual reconstruction with spectrograms of the MARSIS instrument

Outreach Book Chapters

I have written multiple chapters in online books aimed at inspiring future scientists:

• I want to be a Planetary Scientist  
• Space Exploration  
• Rock and Roll for a Red Planet

Public Talks & Events

Beatriz regularly delivers public lectures and participates in science festivals:

Could Mars Become Our Future Home? – IoP Derby, IoP Worcester

Contributor to the Centenary of the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester

Press briefing and press releases

Featured in Press Releases

Her scientific work has been featured in numerous ESA, NASA, AGU, and University of Leicester press releases.

Educational Collaborations

Beatriz actively collaborates with schools and universities to promote science

Beatriz Sanchez-Cano continues to redefine science communication by integrating rigorous research with creative outreach, inspiring curiosity and wonder across disciplines and audiences.