Dave is an Associate Professor in the School of Natural Sciences at Massey University, Albany. David received his MSc from Victoria University of Wellington in 2006 and PhD from the University of Queensland in 2012. His research aims to better understand the trajectories of two of the world’s most productive and iconic marine ecosystems – kelp forests and coral reefs – in response to global changes. In kelp forests, he hopes to quantify the potential for adaption to climate change in ecosystem engineering kelps, including developing methods for kelp aquaculture, and championing active, participatory iwi/community-led ecosystem restoration. 

In coral reef ecosystems, he aims to uncover factors constraining coral survival and reproduction examining limits to adaptation in corals and how species interactions affect the resilience and stability of coral reef ecosystems. David is also an active member of the Te Mana o Rangitāhua research team. Rangitāhua hosts one the world’s most southerly coral reefs, and we expect that corals at Rangitāhua have developed unique adaptations that allow them to survive this environment.