Professor David Smith

Professor David Smith is a distinguished marine biologist with extensive experience in both academia and industry. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Mars Sustainable Solutions and Chief Marine Science Officer at Mars Inc. since August 2019, Professor Smith also holds multiple leadership roles at the University of Essex, including Director of the Tropical Marine Biology MSc program and Director of the Coral Reef Research Unit, where oversight of coral reef research occurs in various international locations, particularly Indonesia and the Seychelles. Additionally, as a Senior Marine Biologist with Operation Wallacea since January 1998, Professor Smith directs marine research at the Indonesia Marine Research Facility within Wakatobi Marine National Park. Educationally, Professor Smith earned a BSc in Marine Zoology from Queen Mary University of London between 1994 and 1997.