Patrick Palmer

A distinguished astronomer and scientist, Patrick Palmer served the University of Chicago for nearly 40 years until attaining emeritus status in 2006. Initially joining the institution as an assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics in 1968, he was promoted to associate professor in 1970 and then full professor in 1975. In addition to his tenure, Dr. Palmer was invited to teach at the California Institute of Technology as a visiting associate professor of astronomy, at Cambridge University as a radio astronomer and at the University of California, Berkeley as a research astronomer. Likewise, from 1980 to 2006, he periodically performed duties as a visiting scientist for the National Radio Astronomer Observatory.

Upon earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Chicago in 1963, Dr. Palmer went on to matriculate at Harvard University, where he attained a Master of Arts in 1965 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1968. That same year, he served as a radio astronomer at Harvard University. Finding success early in his career, Dr. Palmer was the recipient of a Bart J. Bok Prize for Contributions to Galactic Astronomy in 1969, as well as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and Helen B. Warner Prize winner in the 1970s. With this sentiment, he has contributed numerous articles to journals on the topics of astronomical investigations of comets and interstellar medium.

To remain abreast of his industry, Dr. Palmer is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also maintains professional affiliation with the American Astronomical Society, Royal Astronomical Society, International Astronomical Union and the University Chicago Track Club. Reflecting on an illustrious career, he considers the highlight of his career was the discovery of formaldehyde, which was the first molecule discovered in space, first observed through radio techniques. Today, Dr. Palmer enjoys watching the successes of his former students come to life and takes up running and reading in his spare time.