David is an Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The focus of his research is on using technology for difficult analytical challenges in a diverse range of disciplines, particularly in the biological and environmental sciences. He has been a principal researcher in the application of elemental mass spectrometry for imaging biological samples in the field of metallomics and developing hyphenated technologies for environmental and biological applications. David is a Fulbright Scholar and former ARC DECRA recipient, both of which were undertaken to develop and apply new analytical methods to simplify the notoriously difficult quantification of membrane proteins. He is currently funded by the ARC to develop new analytes to increase analytical rigour in quantitative immuno-mass spectrometry imaging.

David specialises in hyphenation to ICP-MS, including HPLC and laser ablation, as well as LC-MS and GC-MS applications. His major areas of research include development and application of novel analytical techniques and spectroscopic techniques to biological research.

David teaches Analytical Chemistry to undergraduate and Masters students. He developed and introduced the Masters of Science majoring in Analytical Chemical Technologies to provide fundamental theoretical knowledge and laboratory skills in a discipline that underpins and meet the needs of industry and research.