With a PhD in Biological Sciences, BSc in Zoology, Botany David has over 25 years of experience working in coastal and marine systems, climate change adaptation and coastal ecology. He has led large research programs in a variety of marine and coastal systems including in the Great Barrier Reef, Great Sandy and Moreton Bay Marine Parks and the Seychelles. David was Chief Scientist and also A/Director of the Water Quality and Ecosystem Health Unit within QLD DES and has contributed to development of marine park zoning plans in Queensland and led the development and implementation of the $6.6 million monitoring program of Moreton Bay Marine Park.

He has led the delivery of several guidelines including Saltwater Wetland Restoration, climate change risk management, using Bayesian Networks to support decision making, incorporating climate change into river restoration projects. As part of his various roles in government, the university sector and the private sector, David has led over 100 climate risk and management projects at national to local levels. He has significant experience working in Tasmania including at state level, for NRM groups and for local government. David was a member of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program Scientific Advisory panel and the Scientific Advisory Panel for the GBR 2050 plan. David is an adjunct researcher at the University of Tasmania working on marine policy.