R. J. David Wells

R. J. David Wells is a Professor and Graduate Program Chair in Marine Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston, holding the Chancellor EDGES Fellowship and the George P. Mitchell Endowed Chair in Sustainable Fisheries. He maintains dual appointments in the Department of Marine Biology (Galveston) and the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology (College Station).

Dr. Wells earned his B.S. in Biology from Oregon State University (1998), M.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University (2002), and Ph.D. in Oceanography & Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University (2007). His educational background has positioned him as a leading researcher in marine fish ecology.

Wells directs the Shark Biology and Fisheries Science Lab, where research focuses on the biology and ecology of sharks and bony fishes across marine ecosystems. His work spans an offshore-to-inshore continuum from open ocean systems to estuarine seascapes, with emphasis on habitat use, movement dynamics, trophic ecology, life history information, and anthropogenic impacts on fishery resources. The lab's ultimate goal is to provide scientific information for conservation and sustainability of marine resources.

Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on using advanced techniques like acoustic telemetry, vertebral chemistry analysis, and habitat modeling to understand shark and fish population connectivity, movement patterns, and environmental influences. His work spans multiple geographic regions including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Pacific Ocean, with particular emphasis on elasmobranchs and commercially important fish species.

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

Dr. Wells actively mentors graduate students, currently advising eight graduate students (four Ph.D. and four M.S. candidates) while maintaining an extensive list of successful alumni. His research is supported by various funding sources, with opportunities for financial support through designated university accounts for the Shark Biology and Fisheries Science Lab. The lab collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions to address complex fisheries science questions.

The Shark Biology and Fisheries Science Lab maintains strong connections with the Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species (GRiHMS) and conducts field research across diverse marine habitats. The lab's work integrates multiple methodologies including telemetry, chemical ecology, and habitat modeling to address contemporary fisheries management challenges.