David Wells

Dr. David Wells is a Professor and Graduate Program Chair in the Department of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston. He holds the George P. Mitchell Endowed Chair in Sustainable Fisheries and is a Chancellor EDGES Fellow. His research focuses on the biology and ecology of sharks, bony fishes, and rays, with emphasis on habitat use, movement dynamics, trophic ecology, and conservation. He leads the Shark Biology and Fisheries Science Lab, which explores marine ecosystems from offshore to estuarine environments. Dr. Wells teaches courses in ichthyology, fisheries techniques, and marine population biology. His work integrates acoustic telemetry, biochemical tracers, and environmental modeling to address fisheries sustainability and ecological connectivity.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University (2007)
• M.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University (2002)
• B.S. in Biology, Oregon State University (1998)

Research Interests: Shark and fish ecology, fisheries management, trophic interactions, estuarine connectivity. His lab investigates species such as blacktip sharks, bonnetheads, and tuna, with applications to conservation and sustainable resource use.

Scientific Awards:

• Chancellor EDGES Fellow
• George P. Mitchell Endowed Chair in Sustainable Fisheries

Teaching & Outreach: Courses include MARB 311 (Ichthyology), MARB 320 (Fisheries Techniques), and fieldwork in Greece focusing on marine mammals and cultural heritage. He emphasizes scientific communication through MARB 482 and advanced graduate courses like MARB 606.

Lab Members: Current students include Emily Meese, Paco Fontaine, Brett Sweezy, and Natalie Windels. The lab collaborates on projects like the Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species (GRiHMS), addressing challenges in fisheries and marine conservation.