Professor Patrick Barrie

After a number of years as a Bye–Fellow, Patrick became an Official Fellow in 2007. He has been Director of Studies in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology since 1996, and is Professor of Chemical Engineering Education at the University. He has served as Deputy Head (Teaching) of his Department, as Deputy Head (Education) of the University's School of Technology, and on the various University committees connected with education.

Biography

Patrick studied at Emmanuel and obtained his degree in Natural Sciences, and then followed this up with a PhD in Physical Chemistry. He became a Research Fellow in the Chemistry Department of University College, London. In 1995, he switched discipline and took up appointment as a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, and now views himself as both a chemist and a chemical engineer, though occasionally as a biotechnologist or general scientist. He enjoys interacting with students. Outside work he plays the sport of tiddlywinks, in which he has won national and world titles, and talking about cricket (now that his playing days are over).

Teaching

He supervises a range of topics within the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology course for first, second and third–year students. He has also taught many modules for the University, currently lecturing courses on 'Process Calculations', on 'Reaction Engineering', and on 'Data Analysis'. Patrick has always been highly motivated by teaching as well as research, and was awarded a Pilkington Prize in 2008 by the University for excellence in teaching.

Research

Patrick's research areas have evolved during his career, covering characterisation of solids by NMR spectroscopy, kinetic measurements on microporous catalysts, and understanding adsorption, diffusion and reaction in porous solids. He currently has a particular interest in numerical methods for extracting physically meaningful parameters from experimental data on process kinetics.