Dr Larissa Palethorpe

Royal Society Career Development Fellow
University of Bristol

About

I am an astrophysicist studying the formation and evolution of exoplanets, with a particular focus on small planets in transitional regimes and population-level trends. My work combines observational data and statistical techniques to understand how planetary systems assemble, evolve, and lose their atmospheres over time.

I am currently a Royal Society Career Development Fellow at the University of Bristol, where I lead independent research into small exoplanets in transitional regimes using data from missions including TESS, CHEOPS, HARPS-N, and JWST.

Research

My research focuses on understanding the nature and evolution of small exoplanets, particularly those that lie at the boundary between rocky and volatile-rich worlds. Key themes include:

  • Exoplanet demographics and population-level trends
  • The exoplanet radius valley and atmospheric loss
  • Planet composition, interiors, and evolution
  • Observational studies using transit and radial velocity data from space- and ground-based facilities

Education & Experience

Education

  • MSci (Hons), Physics with Astronomy — University of Nottingham (Sept 2017 – July 2021)
  • PhD, Astronomy — University of Edinburgh & UCL (Oct 2021 – Dec 2025), Thesis: Characterising Small Exoplanets

Research experience

  • Royal Society Career Development Fellow — Bristol, UK (Jan 2026 – Current)
    Sponsor: Dr. Hannah Wakeford
  • PhD Student — Insitute of Astronomy, University of Edinburgh & Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, UK (Oct 2021 – Dec 2025)
    Supervisors: Prof. Ken Rice, Dr. Vincent Van Eylen
  • Summer Research Student — European Space Agency, Leiden, the Netherlands (June 2021 – Aug 2021)
    Advisors: Dr. Oliver Hall, Dr. Nicolas Crouzet
  • Summer Research Intern — Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge (July 2020 – Sept 2020)
    Advisor: Dr. Eugene Vasiliev

Presentations, Talks & Honors

Honors & awards

  • Students’ Association Teaching Award Nominee — University of Edinburgh (2025)
  • STEM for Britain Finalist — Houses of Parliament, London (2024)
  • 3 Minute Thesis University Grand Finalist — University of Edinburgh (2024)
  • Fully funded PhD Scholarship — School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh

Invited & selected talks

  • Keynote — Gliese 12 b: A Temperate Earth-sized Planet at 12 pc, UK Exoplanet Meeting 2024, University of Birmingham

  • Invited public lectures — The Search for Planet b, Dark Space Planetarium, Kirkudbright (2024)

  • Invited panel member — Amplify: The Black Undergraduate Physics Symposium, Universities of Manchester (2024) and Southampton (2025)

  • Invited colloquium talk — Characterising Small Exoplanets, Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh (2024)

Conferences & contributed presentations

I regularly present my research at international conferences and workshops, including:

  • UK Exoplanet Meetings (keynote, talks, and posters)
  • Exoplanets V (Leiden)
  • Extreme Solar Systems V (Christchurch)
  • Advanced School on Exoplanetary Science (Italy)
  • London Exoplanet Days
  • Scottish Exoplanet Meeting

Contributions include talks and posters on the characterisation and evolution of small exoplanets using data from TESS, CHEOPS, HARPS-N, and K2.

Publications

My research focuses on the characterisation and evolution of small exoplanets, with particular emphasis on planets in transitional regimes such as the radius valley. I am a joint first author on the discovery and characterisation of Gliese 12 b, a temperate Earth-sized exoplanet at 12 pc, and have led multiple first-author studies on small-planet composition and interiors.

Selected and first-authored publications

  • Palethorpe et al. (2026), MNRAS —
    Constraining Small Planet Compositions for the Habitable Worlds Era
    (in review)

  • Dholakia* & Palethorpe* et al. (2024), MNRAS —
    Gliese 12 b: a temperate Earth-sized planet at 12 pc discovered with TESS and CHEOPS
    (joint first authorship)*
    ADS • Journal

  • Palethorpe et al. (2024), MNRAS —
    Confronting compositional confusion through the characterisation of a sub-Neptune
    ADS • Journal

Co-authored publications

I am a co-author on a number of additional peer-reviewed publications arising from the CHEOPS, HARPS-N, and TESS collaborations, including studies published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astronomy & Astrophysics, and Science.

A complete and up-to-date publication list is available via:

Teaching & Supervision

I have teaching and supervision experience across undergraduate and postgraduate levels in astronomy, astrophysics, astrobiology, and data analysis. My teaching focuses on quantitative skills, scientific programming, and research-led learning.

Teaching

I have contributed to a broad range of courses as a teaching assistant, chief teaching assistant, and invited guest lecturer, including:

  • Introductory Astrophysics (Teaching Assistant; Chief Teaching Assistant)
  • Astrobiology and Astrobiology Methods (MSc) — Invited Guest Lecturer
  • Scientific Programming & Data Analysis
  • Scientific Image Analysis
  • Astrophysics: Stars and Planets
  • Computer Modelling and Simulation
  • Physics & Geoscience Outreach & Engagement — Invited Guest Lecturer

My roles span core undergraduate teaching, specialist MSc modules, and outreach-focused teaching, often incorporating real astronomical datasets and research examples.

Supervision

I have supervised undergraduate students on outreach- and engagement-based projects within Physics & Geoscience Outreach & Engagement.

Between 2022 and 2025, I supervised eight students, supporting the design and delivery of community-focused physics outreach projects and mentoring students in science communication, project management, and public engagement.

Outreach, Media & Science Communication

I view science communication as an integral part of research practice, particularly for publicly funded space missions and high-impact discoveries.

Media coverage of the discovery of Gliese 12 b

My joint first-author work on the discovery and characterisation of Gliese 12 b received extensive international media coverage, including:

Science communication & public engagement

Beyond media coverage of my research, I actively contribute to public engagement and science communication:

Outreach & educational engagement

I am actively involved in outreach and engagement initiatives aimed at widening participation in physics and astronomy, particularly for school-aged students and underrepresented groups. My outreach activities include:

Schools and youth engagement

  • Guest scientist and speaker at primary and secondary schools, including Broughton Primary School, Kirkudbright Academy, and Southbank International School
  • Talks on career pathways in astronomy, science careers, and current exoplanet research
  • Participation in school science fairs and international science week events
  • Educational interview content created for school audiences

Workshops and public events

  • STEM workshop facilitator for Girl Guide leaders, Royal Observatory Edinburgh
  • Volunteer at Royal Observatory Edinburgh Open Weekends

Committees, representation & leadership

  • BAME Representative, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh
  • #BlackinPhysics Week 2022 article author for Physics Today and Physics World – Pursuing joy in an alien world
  • Student Community Committee Member, Institute of Physics
  • East Midlands Regional Committee Member, Institute of Physics
    – Led the design and international launch of a GirlGuiding–IOP physics badge, including supporting its rollout in Canada and contributing to its global adoption (interactive map of global badge uptake)

Science communication roles

I am committed to inclusive science communication and widening participation in physics and astronomy, and regularly give public talks and engage with outreach initiatives. If you have an opportunity you believe would suit me, contact me below:

Contact Information