Patrick has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1995, studying with numerous teachers from all the main Tibetan traditions. In 2005, he completed the seven-year FPMT Masters Program in Buddhist Studies in Italy, studying some of the major philosophical and tantric treatises of Tibetan Buddhism as well as classical Tibetan language. For the next decade, he taught courses on Buddhism and led retreats in Italy, the US, and India. He then earned an MA in religious studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School and a PhD in religious studies from the University of California Santa Barbara, where he completed his dissertation under the guidance of José Cabezón. His dissertation focuses on Atiśa Dīpaṃkara and the transmission and reception of Vajrayāna doctrines in Tibet.

Patrick’s research interests include the Kadam school, mahāsiddha literature, Tibetan Buddhist biographies (namthar), and Buddhist approaches to contemporary ethical issues. He has worked as an editor of numerous books and articles on Buddhism and other topics, and as a translator from Tibetan for the 84000 Project.