Patrick is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Engineering Department working with Dr. Shang Song’s Integrated BioDesign Laboratory to utilize simple chemical reactions to study diseases of the nervous system. His research has been directed towards developing methods of 3D printing conductive fibers that match the diameters of the nerves in the human body, with the goal of advancing research on treatments for nervous system diseases and injury. 

Prior to working with Dr. Song and her team, Patrick earned bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. Throughout the course of his undergraduate studies, Patrick designed and implemented several teaching experiments in the Organic Chemistry Department. This experience sparked his interest in curriculum development, scientific communication, and community outreach. 

As a NASA Space Grant Fellow, he will be a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Bioprinting of Functional Tissues course. This laboratory course provides students with the ability to hone a broad collection of skills required for a career in tissue engineering, including cell culture, imaging, organoid formation, and bioprinting. Committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, Patrick is passionate about making science accessible to any individual on the planet, regardless of their background knowledge. Outside of the lab and classroom, Patrick enjoys hiking, playing music, cooking, and trying new things.