College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Originally from Philadelphia PA, Patrick attended Rutgers University for his Master’s degree in Plant Breeding studying hazelnut phenology. Patrick is at MSU to work on his PhD in the USDA ARS Lab for Sugarbeet and Bean Research with Dr Karen Cichy  Nuña beans (Phaseolus spp.), also called popping beans, which are native to Peru and have the unique ability to pop when heated at high temperature. Patrick will be evaluating Nuña beans as a possible new crop for Michigan and offering a new healthy snack food high in both protein and fiber.