Lee R. Patrick

I am a data driven scientist who specialises in observational astrophysicist. I am currently a staff scientist for the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) working at the Astrobiology Centre in Madrid. I work on the evolution of massive stars and  I specialise in observations on the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes.  I am involved in the development of  new facilities including the European Extremely Large Telescope.

I am a keen communicator of science and take a great interest in discussing my research with the public. I try to participate in as many outreach events as possible. I sporadically publish astronomy review articles on my blog website.


In 2020 I was awarded a research Fellowship from the Generalitat Valenciana for the project "Unveiling the secrets of massive stars in the near-Infrared", which is split between the Open University and the Universidad de Alicante.

In 2016 I was awarded a Severo Ochoa Postdoctoral position at the Instituto de Astrofisica de las Canarias (IAC), Tenerife. I am part of the EMIR (Espectrógrafo Multiobjeto Infrarrojo) instrument team, currently installed on the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) - led by the IAC. 

I completed my PhD (copy found here) at the University of Edinburgh working with Chris Evans on red supergiant stars, specifically, their stellar parameters and how these stars shape the environment they live in. 

Prior to my PhD, I studied astrophysics at the University of Sheffield. For the final year of my degree, I was awarded a studentship at the Issac Newton Group of telescopes which gave me the opportunity to work for a year at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos as a student support astronomer on the Issac Newton Telescope. 

I have previously been a lecturer in The Local Universe, an open access course run by the University of Edinburgh, providing a background in astrophysics for the general public. I have given lectures on a wide variety of topics ranging from bringing students up to date with current observational techniques in The Use of Telescope, to detailing our understanding of Extra-Solar Planets and Astrobiology.

Originally from Newcastle, I am a Newcastle United fan. In Edinburgh I played in and captained an 11-a-side football team which competes in the University of Edinburgh's Intra-mural league. I also enjoy hill walking and climbing, although don't spend as much time as I would like doing either.