Dr Sachin Alexander Reddy
NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellow
About
Bio
I’m a scientist and postdoctoral research fellow at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and a science team member on the Europa Clipper Magnetometer instrument. I develop machine learning frameworks to advance our understanding of ocean worlds with a focus on Jupiter’s moon Europa. Europa is a prime target in the search for extraterrestrial life and will be explored by NASA’s Europa Clipper and ESA’s JUICE missions starting in 2031.
My broader research applies AI/ML across space plasmas, ocean worlds, ionospheres and magnetospheres, space weather prediction, and the search for life in the solar system.
Previously, I was postdoctoral research associate and fellow at the National Institute of Polar Research (国立極地研究所) in Japan. I have a PhD in space physics from the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory and in 2023 I was awarded the UCL Alan Johnstone Prize for Outstanding Scientific Achievement.
Education
- PhD in Space Physics, University College London; 2024
- MSc in Systems Engineering with Space Systems, University College London; 2019
- BSc in Computer Science, Oxford Brookes University; 2015
Research Interests
- Space plasma
- Machine Learning & Uncertainty Quantification
- Ocean Worlds
- Ionospheres and aurora
- Space Weather Prediction
- Plasma Analyzers
- The search for life in the solar system
Experience
Professional Experience
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Postdoctoral Fellow; present
- National Institute of Polar Research (国立極地研究所), Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Associate; 2024
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Research Intern; 2022 - 2024
- University of Bath, Research Assistant; 2019
- Synergy Circuits, Design Engineer; 2018
- Gorilla Circuits, Process Engineer; 2016 - 2017
Achievements
Awards & Recognitions
- Professional Society and External Organization Awards | UCL | Alan Johnstone Prize for Outstanding Scientific Achievement (2023)
- Professional Society and External Organization Awards | Mullard Space Science Laboratory | Team Achievement Award (CIRCE and SOAR Missions) (2022)
- Professional Society and External Organization Awards | University College London | Class Valedictorian (MSc program) (2019)
Publications
- Reddy, S. A., Pi, X., Forsyth, C., Aruliah, A., & Smith, A. (2025). Predictions of equatorial vertical plasma drift using TEC data and a neural network model. Earth and Space Science, 12(6), e2024EA004167.
- Kataoka, R., Nakano, S., Uchino, S., & Reddy, S. A. (2025). Extended red aurora associated with super substorm igniting the October 10, 2024 magnetic storm as revealed by citizen science. Earth, Planets and Space, 77(1), 1-9.
- Smith, A., ... Reddy, S. A., and others (2024). Space Weather Forecasts of Ground Level Space Weather in the UK: Evaluating Performance and Limitations. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Weather. 22 (11), e2024SW003973
- Kataoka, R., Reddy, S. A., and others (2024). Extended Magenta Aurora as Revealed by Citizen Science. Sci Rep. 14, 25849
- Reddy, S. A., Nordheim, T. A. and Harris, C,. (2024). Surface Charging of Jupiter's Moon Europa. The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 962(2), L29
- Reddy, S. A., Forsyth, C., Aruliah, A., Smith, A., Bortnik, J. Aa, E., Kataria, D. and Lewis, G. (2023). Predicting Swarm Equatorial Plasma Bubbles via Machine Learning and Shapley Values. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics. 128, e2022JA031183.
- Reddy, S. A., Kataria, D., Lewis, G., Aruliah, A., Verscharen, D., Baby Abraham, J., Deprez, G. and Mahammod, R. (2022). CubeSat measurements of thermospheric plasma: spacecraft charging effects on a plasma analyzer. CEAS Space Journal. 14, 675–687.
- Dutta, S., ... Reddy, S. A., and others (2020). Aerocapture as an enhancing option for ice giants missions. Planetary Science Decadal Survey, 2023 - 2032