Dr. David W. Johnston

Dr. David W. Johnston is a Professor of the Practice of Marine Conservation Ecology at Duke University and serves as the Associate Dean of Teaching Innovation at the Nicholas School of the Environment. He chairs the Duke Environmental Leadership Master’s Program and directs the Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing (MaRRS) Lab, where he focuses on advancing robotic applications, platforms, and sensors for marine science, education, and conservation efforts. Dr. Johnston holds a PhD from Duke University and completed post-doctoral training at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California. His extensive professional background includes leading research programs for NOAA and working as an ecologist in the NGO sector.