Prof. Dr. Alberto G. Fairén Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Geosciences
We extend our deepest gratitude to Prof. Dr. John C. Eichelberger for his dedicated commitment as Editor-in-Chief of Geosciences (ISSN: 2076-3263) over the past year. We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Alberto G. Fairén who assumed editorial leadership over the journal in August 2025.
Name: Prof. Dr. Alberto G. Fairén
Homepages: https://cab.inta-csic.es/en/personal/gonzalez-fairen-alberto/ and https://astro.cornell.edu/alberto-g-fairen
Affiliation: Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, M-108, km 4, 28850 Madrid, Spain
Interests: astrobiology; mars; mars exploration; space exploration; planetary geology; planetary science; planets; planetary exploration; solar system; meteorites
Prof. Dr. Alberto Fairén is an interdisciplinary planetary scientist and astrobiologist who specializes in geochemistry, mineralogy, hydrogeology, sedimentology, and the environmental microbiology of extremophiles. His research focuses particularly on understanding the habitability of early Mars and searching for life on Mars and ocean worlds. Prof. Dr. Fairén is currently a tenured research scientist at the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, Madrid, Spain), where he has held the position of Research Full Professor since 2022. At CAB, he leads a research team dedicated to studying the surface and subsurface processes of early Mars and astrobiology. He has achieved his results through multidisciplinary collaboration with researchers from around the world, and has published over 160 papers, a dozen book chapters, and 300 communications at international conferences. Prof. Dr. Fairén is also a Science Team Member on the Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance and ExoMars rover missions to Mars.
Previously, Prof. Dr. Fairén was a Research Associate at the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University, where he worked as a science team member on the MSL and MER missions to Mars with Prof Steven Squyres. He continues to collaborate with Cornell as a Visiting Scientist. In 2009, Prof. Dr. Fairén established his independent line of research in his joint position at NASA Ames and the SETI Institute, where he worked on science projects related to Mars geochemical and mineralogical modelling and remote sensing data analysis. His postdoctoral training at NASA Ames with Dr. Christopher McKay provided him with extensive experience in astrobiological investigations and the opportunity to study the habitability conditions in the subsurface of Mars by examining Mars analogue environments on Earth (Prof. Dr. Fairén’s extensive fieldwork experience includes investigations in the Arctic, Pilbara, Atacama, Rio Tinto, and Mojave). He received his PhD from the Autonomous University of Madrid in 2006 for his study of the geochemistry of the Rio Tinto subsurface Mars analog.
The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Alberto G.Fairén, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area and open access publishing:
1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role of its Editor-in-Chief?
Becoming Editor-in-Chief of the journal Geosciences presents the opportunity to lead a dynamic, open access platform dedicated to advancing innovative and impactful research in the fields of Earth and planetary sciences. I look forward to having the chance to shape the journal's scientific direction, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and uphold high ethical standards, ultimately making a meaningful impact on the global Earth and planetary sciences community.
2. What is your vision for the journal?
My aim is to promote scientific excellence and integrity in the field of Earth and planetary sciences. To this end, I will nurture the journal’s commitment to transparent publishing practices and rigorous peer review. To advance the field and increase the journal’s impact within the global geosciences community, I will ensure the publication of innovative and transformative research by emphasizing an open approach to emerging topics and advanced methodologies. I will also foster collaboration with leading researchers and open special issues on cutting-edge themes.
3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
Geosciences research is becoming increasingly focused on addressing major global challenges, such as climate change, resource sustainability, and environmental protection. Key priorities include supporting the energy transition through research into critical raw materials and geothermal energy, developing new digital tools and processes to gain a better understanding of geological information, and taking an interdisciplinary approach to solving complex problems. Innovative science, collaboration, and inclusivity will ensure the continued impact of geosciences on policy, industry, and societal well-being.
4. What do you think of the development of the open access format in the publishing field?
Open access (OA) fosters greater transparency and faster dissemination of research, as well as increased accountability, through initiatives such as open peer review to ensure the integrity of the review process. Furthermore, OA is focused on equity, aiming to provide all researchers globally with barrier-free access to scholarly outputs.
We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Alberto Fairén as our second Editor-in-Chief and wish him every success in his new position.