Professor David Gold Elected Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences

We are thrilled to announce that David Gold, associate professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, has been elected Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences. This is a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding contributions to the natural sciences, highlighting Dr. Gold's broad impact and the deep respect he holds within the scientific community.

His lab’s research spans two main areas: (1) the evolution of genes tied to major geobiological processes like biomineralization and geochemical signaling, and (2) the development and environmental responses of early-branching animals such as jellyfish and sea sponges.

Dr. Gold earned his B.S. in Ecology and Evolution from UC Irvine and his Ph.D. in Biology from UCLA, followed by postdoctoral work at MIT and Caltech. In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Gold is a dedicated mentor with a strong track record of supporting first-generation and underrepresented students in STEM. His commitment to inclusive education and accessible science is an essential part of his academic mission.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is incredibly proud of Dr. Gold and his continued dedication to advancing our knowledge of geobiology and paleobiology.