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Published: 26 November 2024

Planetary, Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Astronomical Researcher Join the Team

by Fabio Crameri

ISSI Staff

Oceans

ISSI Staff

Planetary Sciences

Atmosphere

Meet ISSI’s New Discipline Scientists

As ISSI welcomes four new Discipline Scientists in the coming months, we’re excited to introduce Rosita Kokotanekova, Martin Mlynczak, Marta Marcos, and Siyi Xu. These distinguished researchers bring expertise in planetary, atmospheric, oceanic, and exoplanetary sciences, furthering ISSI’s mission to foster international collaboration in and across the space sciences.

Rosita Kokotanekova

Dr. Rosita Kokotanekova began her role on September 1, 2024, bringing her deep expertise in cometary science to ISSI. Hailing from a family of astronomers in Bulgaria, Rosita’s fascination with space began in her childhood. Her parents took Rosita to her first astronomical observations before she can remember. A couple years later, her research focuses on comet nuclei and other related small bodies. Having participated in various ISSI workshops and teams, she appreciates ISSI’s seamless organisation, which enables scientists to fully dedicate their time to research. As an advocate for personal development, she applies her coaching skills (she’s an accredited ACC coach) to help promote resilience, creativity and improved collaboration within the academic community. Rosita is also excited to explore Switzerland’s landscapes – next on her list are Stäubifall waterfalls and Schäfler Ridge.

„Thanks to my early introduction to astronomical observations, I have already had the chance to witness some of the most awe-inspiring celestial phenomena, including 4 total solar eclipses!“

Martin Mlynczak

Dr. Martin Mlynczak, a retired NASA scientist and part-time researcher at Space Environment Technologies (SET), started as an ISSI Senior Scientist on September 1, 2024. He is specialising on space weather and the development of real-time observational tools improving space weather forecasts. Martin’s passion for studying the Earth’s atmosphere, from surface weather to the edge of space, goes back to childhood. Martin is no stranger to ISSI’s collaborative environment and looks forward to reconnecting with colleagues over home-cooked, mildly spicy stews. His workspace often features the uplifting, instrumental music of Swiss musician Andreas Vollenweider. Martin also champions work-life integration in academia, believing that hands-on work experience for students could deepen their career insights and offer valuable guidance.

„My first scientific conference was in a town that received more snow than at any time in over 60 years. It took four days for us to get out. We stayed in a casino/hotel that had partial power – except for the casino part, which had full power…“

Marta Marcos

Prof. Dr. Marta Marcos joins ISSI from the University of the Balearic Islands and began her role on October 1, 2024. A leading expert in sea level dynamics, Marta investigates how human-induced climate change impacts our oceans. She values space-based monitoring for its comprehensive Earth coverage and continuous advancements, both of which are essential for understanding complex climate systems. With a rich history at ISSI, including co-leading two international teams, Marta looks forward to another fruitful stay in Bern. She plans to introduce her ISSI colleagues to Mallorca’s beloved “Ensaimada” pastries. Marta brings a deeply focused approach to her work, valuing a calm workspace that fosters intensive scientific thinking.

„Not yet :)“ – Marta’s answer to whether she has some funny ISSI anecdotes yet.

Siyi Xu

Dr. Siyi Xu, an observational astronomer, will join ISSI in Spring 2025. A native of China, Siyi discovered her passion for astronomy while selecting a major for college—it sounded cool, and it has fascinated her ever since. Her research focuses on white dwarfs: ultra-compressed stellar remnants about the size of Earth but with the mass of the Sun. She is particularly interested in studying exoplanets and asteroids around these stellar objects, which offer a glimpse into the future of our own solar system. Having previously attended ISSI’s exocomet workshop, Siyi is excited to return to ISSI’s collaborative environment. Outside work, she plans to explore more of Switzerland’s Jungfrau region, with a special interest in hiking and visiting the glaciers. At ISSI, her colleagues can look forward to learning more about her during shared lunches, with dim sum—especially soup dumplings—being one of her favourite. Siyi prefers a quiet working environment and appreciates the natural sounds of birdsong to keep her focused.

“I really enjoyed floating down the Aare River during my previous visits to Bern. It’s such a fun and refreshing experience!”

Welcome!

We are thrilled to welcome Rosita, Martin, Marta, and Siyi to ISSI, where their expertise and unique perspectives will enrich our understanding of planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond. Their shared spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and dedication to advancing space science will undoubtedly inspire ISSI’s community and beyond.

Credits ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Martel