David Patrick is Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at Western Washington University. Dr. Patrick received a BS degree in Chemistry from UC Davis in 1990 and a Ph.D. from the University of Utah in 1995. He spent a year as an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at Cambridge University before joining the faculty of WWU in 1996.
Patrick specializes in surface and materials chemistry and ordered molecular systems. His research includes solar energy concentration and conversion, crystallization and growth mechanisms in organic semiconductors, and liquid crystal solvents. He teaches courses in the areas of analytical and materials chemistry and energy science. Prof. Patrick has received numerous awards and commendations for his teaching and research, including an NSF PECASE (Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers) award in 2000 and being named a Cottrell Scholar in 2016.