From an early age, he had a strong passion for dinosaurs and paleontology and originally envisioned himself becoming a paleontologist. During middle school and high school his interests shifted toward computer science, and he spent several years focusing on that field with the goal of becoming a software engineer.

 

However, while taking classes at Pierce College, David enrolled in a geology course that fundamentally changed his academic path. He found geology to be far more engaging and enjoyable than he had anticipated, and with guidance from an inspiring geology professor, he began exploring a career in geosciences. His interest in paleontology was later re‑ignited through a historical geology course, leading him to rediscover his earlier passion for studying ancient life. When David transferred to the University of Washington, he chose to invest his time in both geology and paleontology, ultimately combining these interests and leading him to graduate with his BS in Earth and Space Sciences with a minor in Paleobiology.

 

David conducted undergraduate research across multiple projects spanning paleontology, stratigraphy, and fossil preparation. His research experience includes identifying early Paleocene multituberculate mammals to determine faunal composition of fossil sites immediately above the K–Pg boundary, as well as studying the stratigraphic relationships of dinosaur quarries in Montana and placing those sites within a broader regional stratigraphic framework. In addition to his research, David has extensive experience in fossil preparation and remains actively involved with the Fossil Preparation Lab at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. He currently volunteers on weekends, where his primary projects include the preparation of a gorgonopsid humerus and work on a pareiasaur skull.

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David’s experience and education includes two summers of field work. The first included completing the ESS field geology course with a GIS focus. This course was designed to mirror professional industry fieldwork and emphasized short, intensive field excursions, geologic mapping and spatial analysis using ArcGIS, data synthesis, and the preparation of professional‑style technical reports.

 

During his second summer, David spent the first two and a half weeks in Montana completing a Paleobiology Field Methods course, where he refined his skills in fossil prospecting, fossil collection, and field geology and stratigraphy. After completing the course in Seattle, he returned to Montana to conduct his undergraduate field research. He then spent two additional weeks performing stratigraphic research on dinosaur quarries while simultaneously assisting with the excavation and collection of dinosaur fossils at those sites.

 

Licenses & Certifications 

• OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER (In Progress)

• ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade 1

• APNGA Portable Nuclear Gauge Safety and USDOT Hazmat Certification

 

Hobbies​

• Hiking

• Fishing

• Cooking

• Auto Racing

• Motorcycles

• Fossil Preparation

• Baseball & Football 

• Occasional Video Games 

• Weightlifting (Olympic Style)