We are delighted to introduce Claire Nichols as the 2026 Johannes Geiss Fellow, whose research explores planetary magnetism and what it can tell us about the deep interiors, atmospheres, and habitability of planets across our solar system and beyond. Based at the University of Oxford, Claire combines a background in Earth Sciences with a fascination for meteorites, the Moon, and the magnetic histories of planets large and small. In this interview, she reflects on her path into space science, explains why invisible magnetic fields matter so much, and shares what she is most excited about during her upcoming stay at ISSI in Bern—alongside her enthusiasm for mountains, chocolate, and the occasional punting mishap.
Scientists supported by the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern have found that while Titan’s subsurface ocean could theoretically support microbial life through glycine fermentation, the availability and transport of organic material likely limit any potential biosphere to only a few kilograms of biomass.
