Whether he’s describing a compelling astronomy course or his research, Locke Patton’s passion for astronomy is palpable. Locke has introduced pint-sized audiences to the mysteries in the night sky and presented at professional conferences—excellent preparation as he heads to Harvard for his PhD. Some pivotal moments along the way:
A MAGIC MOMENT
Entering the UW as a freshman, Locke considered pursuing astronomy or physics. He majored in both, but during his first astronomy course, taught by Emily Levesque, he became hooked on studying the Universe and never looked back. “I think it was like week two [of the class],” he says. “It was really quick.”
A REMOTE POSSIBILITY
It pays to hang out in the astronomy student lounge. When astronomy professor Ana Larson swung by the lounge one day to ask if anyone wanted to observe on the telescope at the Apache Point Observatory—a world-class facility in New Mexico that can be accessed remotely from the UW campus—Locke jumped on the opportunity. “I was just beyond the moon,” he says. No pun intended.
RELISHING RESEARCH
Impressed by Locke’s enthusiasm and intelligence, Ana Larson invited him to join her research team. After a year with that team, Locke added on another research project with Emily Levesque, looking at massive stars that later explode as supernova. Both research projects were supported by Mary Gates Research Scholarships. This year Locke presented his research at an American Astronomical Society conference in Maryland, with help from an AAS travel grant.
SPREADING THE WORD
After taking an Outreach in Astronomy course that prepares students to give public talks, Locke began sharing his enthusiasm for astronomy with audiences ranging from preschoolers to retirees at the UW Planetarium and Jacobsen Observatory. He also has spoken at local breweries through Astronomy on Tap.
TRANSFORMATIONS, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
While Locke transformed into a seasoned researcher and skilled speaker during his time at the UW, he also discovered his gender identity while transitioning from female to male. He found his Astronomy Department peers and mentors to be tremendously supportive.
HARVARD BOUND
Locke will enter Harvard University’s PhD program in astronomy in September. He feels his time at the UW has prepared him for what comes next. “I had the raw enthusiasm,” he says of his arrival at the UW. His education, he says, was about “learning how to apply it.”