Dr. Patricia Hanlan is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelors degree (Honours Astronomy). Patricia then moved to the University of Michigan earned a Masters and a Ph.D. in Astronomy, studying X-ray emissions from elliptical galaxies.

During both her undergraduate and graduate school experience, Patricia worked as a teaching assistant and found she had both an affinity for and a love of teaching. After receiving her Ph. D., Dr. Hanlan moved to Detroit Country Day School, where she has been for the last 21 years. In addition to teaching physics and astronomy she has had the chance to teach Algebra 2, pre-calculus and multivariable calculus. Mentoring young scientists working on projects and coaching volleyball have also given Dr. Hanlan the chance to move her teaching practice outside of the classroom. For the last five years, Dr. Hanlan has been chair of the science department.

Dr. Hanlan was first introduced to science fairs as a judge in Ann Arbor in the 1990's before moving to the Detroit metro area.  She has been involved in the Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit as a judge, and chief judge since moving to Detroit Country Day in 1997.  Dr. Hanlan has also been a mentor to many students who have completed projects in physics and astronomy to be presented at SEFMD, focusing on getting students to understand how powerful data can be in creating and changing opinions.

Dr. Hanlan lives in Oak Park, just a few miles from her family in Windsor Ontario. Aside from her academic duties at DCDS, she is great fan of sports and helps the soccer and lacrosse programs as a timer. Dr. Hanlan is also an avid musician, playing flute for her church choir and for other events in the Archdiocese of Detroit.