A preliminary paper was published in 2012, which described a method for defining the upwind area that contributes evaporation for a downwind region's precipitation, known as a precipitationshed. Patrick's current PhD work probes deeper into the questions begun in the 2012 paper, specifically exploring how social-ecological systems become more vulnerable or more resilient with changes to moisture recycling regimes.

Prior to joining the centre, Patrick founded an environmental consulting firm, with projects exploring water security in drylands, ecosystem service trade-offs, and climate change vulnerability and adaptation.

Patrick holds a MSc from the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington, and BA in Biology from Willamette University.