Peter's journey into orchids began at age seven when his grandmother pointed out a Phalaenopsis at a local hardware store, noting their reputation as challenging plants to grow. Taking this as a personal challenge, he devoted himself to mastering orchid growing, building his early collection through birthday and holiday gift cards to plant nurseries.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Biology and French, Peter went on to earn his Master's in Biology from NYU and later his PhD from Johns Hopkins, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer metastasis. While in Baltimore, he became a certified Master Gardener through the University of Maryland Extension office, volunteering to build community gardens and maintain the Rawlings Conservatory orchid and Mediterranean houses.
Following his PhD, Peter moved to San Francisco in 2022, bringing with him several cherished orchids including a 30-foot Vanilla orchid. Currently working in scientific strategy and business partnerships at an AI-enabled precision oncology company, he grows orchids throughout his San Francisco home, with a focus on Dracula and Masdevallia orchids that thrive in his backyard. He has recently begun exploring hybridizing orchids and growing them from seed.
As Vice President of the San Francisco Orchid Society, Peter looks forward to engaging with the vibrant orchid community through educational monthly meetings and contributing to signature events like the Pacific Orchid Exposition and Orchids in the Park.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Biology and French, Peter went on to earn his Master's in Biology from NYU and later his PhD from Johns Hopkins, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer metastasis. While in Baltimore, he became a certified Master Gardener through the University of Maryland Extension office, volunteering to build community gardens and maintain the Rawlings Conservatory orchid and Mediterranean houses.
Following his PhD, Peter moved to San Francisco in 2022, bringing with him several cherished orchids including a 30-foot Vanilla orchid. Currently working in scientific strategy and business partnerships at an AI-enabled precision oncology company, he grows orchids throughout his San Francisco home, with a focus on Dracula and Masdevallia orchids that thrive in his backyard. He has recently begun exploring hybridizing orchids and growing them from seed.
As Vice President of the San Francisco Orchid Society, Peter looks forward to engaging with the vibrant orchid community through educational monthly meetings and contributing to signature events like the Pacific Orchid Exposition and Orchids in the Park.