David's research interests lie in energy policy, renewable geosciences, clastic sedimentology, and reservoir geology for carbon & fluid storage.​

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David's research career began in 2019 when he completed his MSc in Petroleum Geoscience at Royal Holloway, University of London.

His thesis, titled 'Compressed Air Energy Storage potential of salt diapirs & anticlines in the Southern North Sea' won several awards, including 3rd Prize in the prestigious Halliburton-Landmark Earth Model Award.​

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Since 2020, David has been studying for a PhD in Earth Sciences, with the working thesis title of 'An holistic characterisation of arid-marine transitional sediments for use in CO2 storage evaluations'. ​David's research examines the reservoir geology characteristics of sediments deposited in coastal marginal environments, comparing the rock record with field analogues in both the UK and Utah, USA.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Earth Sciences, 2020, Keele University (Ongoing)

Thesis:

• 'From Macro to Micro: An holistic characterisation of arid-marine transitional sediments, for use in CO2 storage evaluations'.

Awards:

• The Geological Society's Early Career Geologist Award, 2025 (finalist)

• The Geological Society's President's Award, 2023

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David's doctoral research encompasses sedimentological and reservoir geology characteristics of sediments deposited in coastal transition zones, and how these can be used to model future sites for geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. His research interests include field-based sedimentology & photogrammetry, petrography of sedimentary rocks, and petrophysics for carbon storage.

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Master of Science (MSc) - Petroleum Geoscience, 2019 - 2020, Royal Holloway, University of London (Pass with Distinction)

Thesis:

• 'Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) potential of salt diapirs and anticlines in the UK Sector of the Southern North Sea'.

Awards:

• FindAUniversity's Master's Student of the Year, 2020

• Halliburton-Landmark Earth Model Award, 2020 (3rd Prize)

• AAPG Imperial Barrel Award, European, 2020 (semi-finalist)​

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David's Master's degree included a broad grounding in reservoir geology as appropriate to the oil & gas industry, with the addition of significant training in 'new energies' such as geothermal and wind power, and in storage options such as those for carbon dioxide, hydrogen, compressed air, and nuclear waste.

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Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Geology, 2016 - 2019, Royal Holloway, University of London (1st Class Honours)

Thesis:

• 'Geological Evolution and Mapping of the Western External Sierras, Spanish Pyrenees'.

Awards:

• RHUL Frank Barker Prize, 2019

• RHSU Honorary Membership, 2019

• Lyell Scholarship Award, 2018

 

David's undergraduate degree encompassed a broad spectrum of geological & scientific subjects, and culminated with an independent field mapping project in the Spanish Pyrenees.

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During this time he was President of the Lyell Geoscience Society, and a Peer Guide and Mentor to younger students within the Department of Earth Sciences.