Carmen-Lucia David

Dr. Carmen-Lucia David is a researcher in the Department of Marine Animal Ecology at Wageningen University & Research since 2022, specializing in eco-physiological modeling. Her work focuses on marine connectivity, polar ocean ecosystems, and climate change impacts. She holds a PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Hamburg (2015), an MSc in Oceanography from Sorbonne University (2012), and prior degrees from University Lucian Blaga Sibiu. She has conducted research across institutions including Ifremer, Alfred Wegener Institute, Dalhousie University, and WHOI. Key projects include Arctic cod biogeography and invasive species connectivity modeling.

• Education:
  • PhD: Marine Biology, University of Hamburg (2012–2015)
  • MSc: Oceanography and Marine Environments, Sorbonne University (2010–2012)
  • MSc: Ecosystem Assessment/Management, University Lucian Blaga (2007–2009)

Her research interests integrate ecological modeling, sea-ice habitat dynamics, and larval fish survival under climate change. She has explored Arctic cod resilience, Antarctic krill overwintering strategies, and ice algae-driven food webs. Her work bridges field data, biophysical models, and bioenergetic studies to address conservation and climate adaptation challenges.

Dr. David’s scientific achievements include the Ocean Frontier Institute Fellowship (2020s), enabling Arctic-focused collaborations. She leads projects on Caribbean disease dispersal models and food web dynamics, expanding her lab’s numerical modeling capabilities. Current affiliations include ongoing work with WHOI and Dalhousie University on Arctic larval cod vulnerability.

• Awards:
  • Ocean Frontier Institute Fellowship

Her advising and grant activities include supervision of MSc/PhD research projects and coordination of interdisciplinary teams. She actively contributes to the REEHAB project (NE Atlantic reef-building species) and Arctic cod biogeography studies. Her lab’s future work emphasizes polar ocean biodiversity under climate change and disease dynamics in marine ecosystems.