Dr. Parshati Patel
Dr. Parshati Patel is an Astrophysicist turned Science Communicator, Author and STEM Educator based in London, Ontario, Canada. Born and brought up in India, Parshati moved to Canada to study astronomy. She has a Hons. B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy as well as a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Science & Exploration. For her Ph.D., Parshati studied young, massive stars and the disks surrounding them. During her graduate studies, Parshati developed a passion for STEM education and outreach and transitioned into the field of Science Communication. For over a decade, Parshati has shared her passion for space, fostering awareness among the masses, particularly youth. She accomplishes this by spearheading award winning space outreach initiatives, organizing educational public events, delivering invited talks and contributing regularly to the media both in-person and online. Previously, she has worked at Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration as Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist as well as a Program Designer and Education Advisor in the Youth STEM Initiatives team at the Canadian Space Agency. Parshati serves on the Board of Advisors for Students for Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) - Canada and Zenith Canada Pathways. In addition to consulting for science books, she also recently authored a children’s book called ‘My Books of Stars and Planets’. Parshati often talks about her experience as a woman of color venturing into the field of astronomy and barriers she had to overcome as an international student in the hopes to help others. When she isn’t communicating science, you will often find her in her art studio to dabble into space and nature inspired painting or if the skies are clear, you will find her capturing the night sky through the lens of her cameras!