Patrice Franko

Patrice Franko is the Grossman Professor of Economics and Global Studies at Colby College, Waterville, Maine, where she teaches international economics, Latin American economic policy, and microeconomics. Her research focuses on Latin American economics, defense industries, environmental security, and globalization.

• Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
• M.A., University of Notre Dame
• B.A., Bucknell University

Her expertise spans Latin American economic development, military and defense sectors, environmental security in Brazil, and corporate social responsibility. She has published extensively on these topics, including books and policy analyses addressing poverty, defense industrialization, and globalization.

Recent publications highlight the impact of the global financial crisis on Latin America, defense modernization challenges, and globalization economics. Her work with Monica Herz on defense industrial transformation and environmental security assessments underscores regional policy dynamics.

• Pew Faculty Fellowship in International Affairs
• American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow in International Security Affairs

Franko has served as a consultant for the Department of Defense’s Office of Inter-American Affairs, the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, and the National Academy of Sciences. She also directs Colby’s Goldfarb Center and leads the Costa Rica Research Lab (GS397).