Peter is a Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Public Service in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University. As a member of the research faculty at CPS, Peter leads projects that explore leadership development, climate governance, public policy, workforce development, sustainable industries, and innovation in higher education. He also works with organizations around the Pacific Northwest, helping build leadership and change management capacity.
Prior to his role at CPS, Peter served as a teaching assistant professor in Public Administration at PSU, teaching courses in civic engagement, leadership, environment and natural resources, and nonprofit management. Trained in ecology, evolution, and marine biology, Peter has studied the effects of acidification and hypoxia on valuable and threatened marine species around the Pacific Rim, developed a public-private education and conservation program in the Coral Triangle, contributed to a bilingual teacher pathway program in Oregon, and co-founded a nonprofit research station in southern southeast Alaska. Peter’s background bridges natural and human systems, honing his professional focus on strategic research and training programs in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Peter holds a B.S. in Aquatic Biology, a M.A. in Comparative Physiology and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.