Dr. Fatemeh (Fatima) Bagheri

Did you always know that you wanted to study planetary science?

Not exactly, but I’ve been drawn to fundamental questions about how the universe works ever since childhood. I began my academic journey in theoretical physics, focusing on problems in general relativity and cosmology. That early training shaped how I think about the universe at the most fundamental level: its structure, dynamics, and evolution. Over time, I became increasingly intrigued by the more tangible and dynamic processes governing planetary systems: how planets form, how they interact with their host stars, and what conditions make them potentially habitable. What drew me to planetary and exoplanetary science was its unique intersection of physics, astronomy, atmospheric science, and space plasma physics. As I transitioned into planetary science through my second Ph.D. and postdoctoral research, I discovered that it not only satisfied my scientific curiosity but also connected to questions that are societally relevant and sometimes even philosophical, such as the conditions for life beyond Earth and the future of planetary exploration. That combination continues to inspire and drive my work. So, while I didn’t always know I would study planetary science, my path gradually and naturally led me here and I couldn’t be more excited about where it’s taken me and the questions it still offers to explore.

What is your research focus?

My research focuses on understanding how planetary magnetospheres and star–planet interactions shape the space environments of both solar system planets and exoplanets. I’m particularly interested in the role of magnetic fields in shielding planetary atmospheres and in how energy is transferred from stellar winds into magnetosphere–ionosphere systems. One of my central scientific questions is: What conditions allow a planet to form and remain habitable? To answer this, I study how magnetic fields mediate energy input from stellar winds and how this energy is dissipated through field-aligned currents, auroral emissions, and atmospheric outflows.

Methodologically, I use a combination of large-scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, data-driven modeling, and observational analysis. I work extensively with codes like SWMF (Space Weather Modeling Framework) and GAMERA, which allow me to model the interactions between planetary magnetospheres and stellar winds across a wide range of systems—from Jupiter and Saturn to hot Jupiters and tidally locked exoplanets. I also analyze Earth’s space weather data from missions such as THEMIS and compare simulations to observations to validate models.

In parallel, I’ve developed an innovative approach to exoplanet detection via radio emissions, combining microlensing surveys (from the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope) with ground-based radio follow-up using instruments like the SKA. This method aims to detect magnetic emissions from exoplanets and their moons, opening a new observational window into planetary magnetism and habitability.

Overall, my work integrates theory, simulation, and observation to tackle interdisciplinary questions at the intersection of planetary science, astrophysics, and space physics.

Photo Credit: Fatemeh (Fatima) Bagheri.

How did you end up working at NASA Goddard?

During my Ph.D. and subsequent NSF postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), I became involved in a collaboration between UTA faculty and researchers at NASA Goddard. Through this partnership, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Alex Glocer, a leading expert in space plasma physics and planetary magnetospheres. In our early discussions, we discovered a mutual interest in the magnetic environments of exoplanets and their implications for atmospheric retention and planetary habitability. Recognizing the scientific synergy, I saw an opportunity to extend my research into a broader framework that included both solar system giants and exoplanetary systems. I drafted a proposal for the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP), specifically targeting the application of the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) to study magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling in gas giants and tidally locked exoplanets. The proposal was accepted, and that led to my current position as an NPP Fellow at NASA Goddard from January 2024. It has been an ideal environment to deepen my work on planetary space weather, expand interdisciplinary collaborations, and contribute to NASA’s broader goals in heliophysics and planetary science.

Photo Credit: Fatemeh (Fatima) Bagheri.

What aspect(s) of your work are you most passionate about?

I’m most passionate about the fundamental questions that drive my research—questions that are not only scientifically complex, but also deeply inspiring. I find it fascinating that we can use logic, observation, and physical intuition to model distant worlds we may never visit, and yet come to understand their dynamics, histories, and potential for habitability. Every project feels like a small step toward answering timeless questions such as “Are we alone?”. There’s something profoundly human about that endeavor. It makes me feel deeply connected to the universe—and reminds me that through science, we are capable of far more than we often imagine.

Photo Credit: Fatemeh (Fatima) Bagheri.

What is one of your favorite moments in your career so far?

There are certain milestones in every scientist’s career that leave a lasting impression like publishing a first paper, receiving a research grant, or seeing a long-term project come to fruition. For me, one of the most memorable moments was receiving my first postdoctoral fellowship from the National Science Foundation. It was a powerful affirmation of both the ideas I had developed and the potential others saw in them. That fellowship not only gave me the support to pursue independent research but also marked a turning point in my confidence as a scientist. Another moment I’ll never forget was receiving my official NASA badge. Growing up, I always thought of NASA as the most inspiring and exciting place a scientist could work, it really represented the frontier of discovery. So, every time I walk in the Goddard Space Flight Center, it truly feels like a dream come true. As someone who navigated the challenges of immigration, cultural adjustment, and starting over, that moment symbolized far more than a job and represented something far greater: belonging to a scientific community I had long admired and aspired to contribute to. It was both surreal and motivating.

What is an interesting problem or hurdle that you’ve overcome in your work?

One of the most interesting findings in my recent work came from investigating how tidal locking influences magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling and radio emission in giant exoplanets. It’s often assumed that tidally locked planets—because of their slower rotation—would have weaker magnetic activity and, therefore, reduced radio emissions. But through SWMF MHD simulations, I discovered the opposite can be true under certain conditions. My simulations showed that slower-rotating (tidally locked) gas giants can actually exhibit stronger cross-polar cap potentials, leading to more intense magnetospheric currents and potentially stronger radio emissions. This result challenges conventional expectations and suggests that tidal locking doesn’t necessarily suppress radio observability—in fact, it may enhance it in some systems. What made this especially rewarding was not only the unexpected nature of the finding, but the fact that it has implications for how we select and prioritize targets for future radio-based exoplanet detection. It was a reminder of how careful modeling can overturn assumptions.

What is a fun fact about you?

Although my mind has been trained in logic and science from a very young age, one of my favorite ways to relax is by visiting fine art museums. I find that immersing myself in art offers a completely different kind of intellectual and emotional experience—it helps me recharge and often inspires me in unexpected ways. It's a reminder that science and art both stem from curiosity and a desire to explore the world, just through different lenses.