Interview with Clàudia Soriano, alumni of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physics (Class of 2020) and the PhD in Physics (Class of 2026)

01/09/2026

Clàudia Soriano Guerrero, alumna of the Physics degree programme (Class of 2020) and the PhD in Physics (Class of 2026) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. She was awarded the Sant Jordi Prize for Physical Sciences by the Institut d’Estudis Catalans, granted to the best doctoral thesis or research project in the field of physical sciences. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southampton, where her research focuses on the study of exoplanet atmospheres and magnetic fields. She has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Spain 2026 list.

What did you think when you were told you were one of the 30 young people under 30 recognised by Forbes?

I was surprised. Scientific profiles are not usually the ones highlighted in this kind of recognition.

It’s about time scientists gained more visibility…

One of the biggest problems is the lack of scientific role models. I enjoy giving outreach talks and visiting schools. I meet children who want to become YouTubers, footballers, lawyers or nurses, but they rarely say they want to be scientists or engineers. If they do not see scientists, it is difficult for them to imagine becoming one.

Who have been your role models?

Today, Sara García Alonso is helping raise the profile of scientists and is an important female role model. However, I did not have any role models at home or in my immediate environment. I knew about Neil Armstrong, Stephen Hawking and women such as Marie Curie, but they all felt very distant.

Are you aware that you are also a role model yourself?

Yes, it comes with a sense of responsibility. You become a role model for the people working behind the scenes in research. It is both a responsibility and a motivation because scientific role models are still lacking. Whenever I have the opportunity, I take part in talks, podcasts and interviews. I try to make the most of opportunities that help raise the visibility of research and of science more broadly.

Do you remember when you became interested in space?

I have always been fascinated by it. As a child, I was the kind of person who would ask for interactive toys about planets for Christmas, and later on, books. During secondary school, I took part in physics and mathematics workshops organised on the UAB campus. I was always looking for ways to get closer to physics and, above all, to space.

What would you say has been the most important factor in your career so far?

Hard work is essential. No matter how enthusiastic and driven you are, nothing happens without effort. People usually choose science degrees because they genuinely enjoy them, so vocation is always present. Luck also plays a role when scholarships become available or when you find a position that matches your interests. Everything matters, but motivation and hard work are especially important.

Why did you decide to study Physics?

It was definitely because of space. Many of us choose Physics because of our fascination with space. Before starting university, I considered studying Aerospace Engineering, but that field is more focused on missions, rockets and satellites. I preferred learning the theoretical foundations of how the universe works.

Has it been what you expected?

Yes. The degree is so broad that you learn a bit of everything. During my master’s studies I gradually specialised in space-related topics, and through research you eventually become an expert in a much more specific field.

Why did you choose the UAB?

Probably because of its proximity. I am from Vilafranca, and I already knew the campus from the workshops I had attended during secondary school.

How do you remember your years on campus? You studied there during two very different stages of your life.

I remember my undergraduate years as a period of growth, both academically and personally. You are 18 years old, you leave the environment you grew up in, you begin to discover more of the world and experience new things. I do not want to romanticise it. It was not always easy and I worked extremely hard. Looking back now, I am happy to have completed that stage and proud to have gone through it.

And what about your PhD?

I completed my master’s degree during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a difficult period. When I returned to campus for my PhD at the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE), I was somewhat hesitant because I still remembered how demanding my undergraduate studies had been. However, it was a completely different experience because I was there as a researcher and had a salary. My years at the ICE were intense and rewarding. It was a time for learning how research works and for delving deeper into hot Jupiters.

Was your PhD focused on hot Jupiters?

My thesis focused on exoplanets, planets located outside our Solar System. Around 6,000 have already been discovered. Within that group there is a huge diversity, and one subgroup is known as hot Jupiters: gaseous exoplanets that orbit very close to their star. While the Earth takes 365 days to orbit the Sun, hot Jupiters complete an orbit in just two or three days. They have extremely high temperatures, turbulent and dynamic atmospheres, and intense winds. In my thesis, I studied their atmospheres using simulations rather than telescopic observations. I simulated their atmospheres to analyse magnetic effects.

What would you say to young people who are considering studying Physics?

Physics has a reputation for being difficult, but if you work hard, stay motivated and remain determined, you can succeed. Curiosity is essential. Always try to answer your questions and keep asking new ones. I would also tell them not to let stereotypes limit them. Physics classrooms are full of very different kinds of people.

Did you always know you wanted to become a researcher?

Yes. I was fascinated by space, which has two different dimensions: the large-scale universe of stars, planets and galaxies, and the small-scale world of particle physics, which explores how the universe was created and what matter is made of. I did an internship on galaxies and my undergraduate dissertation on particle physics to find out what interested me most. During my Master’s in Astrophysics, I realised I was more interested in celestial objects. After finishing the master’s, the natural next step seemed to be pursuing a PhD, but I took some time to reflect on whether I was doing it simply because it was expected or because I genuinely enjoyed academic research. In the end, I decided this was the right path for me.

What has the postdoctoral experience been like?

I have been in this new position at the University of Southampton for just over six months. I moved abroad because, in academia, it is often necessary to spend at least a couple of years overseas to improve your chances of securing a stable position later on. I have found a research group where I feel very comfortable. During my PhD I worked on local simulations of hot Jupiters, whereas now I work on global simulations similar to those used to study Earth’s climate.

And after that?

I have a three-year contract. My goal is to obtain a fellowship and return to Catalonia.

Do you see any drawbacks to a scientific career?

The expectation that you must move abroad at some point. Given how connected we are today, I do not think professional life should have such a strong impact on personal life. International mobility causes many talented researchers to leave the field. The lack of stability is another major issue. It is common not to obtain a permanent position until your forties, which creates significant economic and professional uncertainty.

Does that concern you?

It does. We spend a great deal of time searching for funding and applying for new positions. It is not just the time involved, but also the constant worry that comes with it.

What can society gain from understanding exoplanet atmospheres and magnetic fields?

The simple act of knowing, learning and discovering is wonderful. Originally, climate models for exoplanets were based on those used for Earth. We have now developed a project from scratch based on the fundamental laws of physics that can be applied to all planets, including Earth, allowing us to study climate from a much more fundamental perspective.

Over the coming years, what do you think will be the most important milestones in space science?

The first exoplanet was discovered as recently as 1992. The last few decades have been an era of discovery, but we are now entering a new phase: the characterisation of exoplanet atmospheres. When a planet passes in front of its star, a small fraction of the starlight passes through the planet’s atmosphere before reaching us. Each molecule absorbs light in a unique way, leaving a kind of “fingerprint”. This allows us to identify whether an atmosphere contains water vapour, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane or other gases. Certain combinations of these compounds could point to biological activity, known as biosignatures, although they would not, by themselves, prove the existence of life.

Will we witness a new space race?

Yes. Following the space race of the 1960s between the United States and the former Soviet Union to reach the Moon, we are now experiencing a new space race. This time, several major powers and private companies are involved. One of the main goals is to return humans to the Moon and establish permanent bases that could serve as platforms for future missions. If technological development continues at its current pace, we may see the first crewed missions to Mars within the coming decades and, eventually, the first human settlements there.

Are you concerned about how these new frontiers will be regulated?

The legal framework is still in its infancy. Ideally, there should be a universal set of rules that all countries agree to follow, but reaching a consensus will be difficult because national interests vary considerably. It is essential for countries to work towards a common agreement on space regulation. Otherwise, the situation could become chaotic.