Dr. Michele Dougherty is a distinguished space physicist renowned for her leadership in planetary exploration and space science. Born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1962, her passion for astronomy began at age ten when her father built a telescope that allowed her to observe the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. She earned her PhD in 1988 from the University of Natal specializing in wave-particle interactions in dispersive and anisotropic media and subsequently joined Imperial College London where she established herself as a leading researcher in space physics. Professor Dougherty has held significant positions including Principal Investigator for the Cassini magnetometer instrument and currently serves as Professor of Space Physics at Imperial College London. In a historic appointment she became the first woman named Astronomer Royal in July 2025 while also serving as Executive Chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council since September 2024.
Professor Dougherty's pioneering research has revolutionized our understanding of planetary magnetospheres and icy moons through her innovative application of magnetometry in space exploration. As Principal Investigator for the magnetometer instrument aboard the Cassini spacecraft she and her team made the landmark discovery of an atmosphere containing water and hydrocarbons around Saturn's moon Enceladus opening new possibilities in the search for extraterrestrial life. Her development of advanced magnetic field analysis techniques has provided unprecedented insights into the interactions between planetary bodies and their surrounding plasma environments throughout the Solar System. Currently leading the J-MAG magnetometer aboard the European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer she is spearheading research that will determine whether Jupiter's moons harbor subsurface oceans capable of supporting life. These contributions have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of planetary systems and the potential for habitable environments beyond Earth.
Beyond her research achievements Professor Dougherty has received numerous prestigious honors including the Royal Astronomical Society's Gold Medal in 2017 a CBE in the 2018 New Year's Honours List and the Royal Society's Bakerian Medal and Lecture in 2024 reflecting her exceptional contributions to science. She has been elected as President of the Institute of Physics for a two-year term beginning in October 2025 demonstrating her leadership in the broader physics community. As a Fellow of both the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society she plays a vital role in shaping scientific policy and promoting space research at the highest levels. Professor Dougherty continues to inspire future generations of scientists through her commitment to mentorship and public engagement ensuring that her legacy extends beyond her groundbreaking discoveries to cultivating the next wave of space exploration pioneers.
