What we do
The Gold lab specializes in molecular geobiology, meaning we use data from living organisms to ask question related to the fossil and geologic record. We also study biological systems from the perspective of deep, geologic time (how systems are shaped over hundreds of millions of years). Most of this work is centered on the origin of animals, but Dr. Gold has worked on projects as ancient as the evolution of photosynthesis and as recent as DNA preservation in mammoth bones. Our work is highly interdisciplinary, touching on marine biology, genomics, biological regeneration, conservation ecology, and evolution. Our laboratory spaces include the main campus of the University of California, Davis as well as the Bodega Marine Laboratory.
Who is Dr. Gold?
David Adler Gold is an Associate Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Davis. He was born and raised in southern California, going through the public school system and volunteering at the La Brea Tar Pits before starting college at UC Irvine. He then received his PhD in biology at UCLA, working with Dr. David Jacobs on the genetics and development of moon jellyfish. David spent two years at MIT as an Agouron Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Roger Summons, and then another two years as a Cordes Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Lea Goentoro at Caltech. Through these experiences, Dr. Gold learned how to use molecular biology to study Earth history, and came to appreciate how the Earth and life shape each other. He joined the faculty at UC Davis in 2018. In addition to being a professor, he is also the curator of the UC Davis Fossil Collection, and faculty director of UC Davis CalTeach/MAST, a program that trains STEM majors to become California K-12 teachers.
Main Areas of Research
A Commitment to Inclusion
As a scientist, my goal is to understand the natural world as it really is; as a person, my goal is to inspire and help others. The Gold lab is committed to improving diversity and opportunity in the geosciences. This includes a combination of outreach / retention activities as well as the study of science’s historical role in perpetuating racist ideologies. I am a strong proponent of empiricism and the scientific method, but I accept its fundamental limitations and the role society plays in shaping research. Our lab believes that increasing diversity inherently improves the scientific enterprise, and we strive to meet that belief with action.
Latest News
(Click Stories for Additional Info & Links)
Chris Speaks at GSA 2024
Congratulations Chris on an excellent talk at this year’s Geological Society of America conference! We got lots of great feedback, and we’re excited to get the paper out. Look forward to it soon.
Dr. Gold Selected as a Sinai and Synapses Fellow
Dr. Gold has been selected as a 2024-2026 Sinai and Synapses Fellow. The fellowship includes a select interfaith group of clergy, scientists and writers who are committed to elevating the discourse surrounding religion and science. You can find out more about it at https://sinaiandsynapses.org
Aidan accepted to graduate school at AMNH
Congratulations to Aidan for his acceptance to the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History! He will be working on a Master of Arts in Teaching, with a specialization in Earth Science. We wish him the best and can’t think of a better fit for the program!
Award: Bilinski Fellowship for Chris
Congratulations to Chris for receiving a Russell J. and Dorothy S. Bilinski Fellowship at the Bodega Marine Laboratory! This fellowship will fund his research at BML for a quarter, and allow him to develop a really exciting collaboration with local citizen scientists. I look forward to sharing more details soon!
Dr. Banker starts a faculty job at Providence College
I am thrilled to announce that our ex-postdoc, Roxanne Banker, has accepted a faculty job in the Department of Biology at Providence College. Congratulations Dr. Banker! Good luck on the big move and I know you have a wonderful career ahead! You can learn more about Dr. Banker’s work at https://roxannebanker.weebly.com/
Lena and Aidan represent at the Undergrad Research Conference
Congratulations to Lena and Aidan for presenting posters at the 2024 UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference. A great accomplishment for two young scientists!
Tessa accepted to Stratigraphic Paleobiology Field Conference
Congratulations to Tessa for being accepted to the 2024 Stratigraphic Paleobiology Field Conference. This NSF-funded program is organized by paleontologists Mark Patzkowsky and Steven Holland, and teaches participants modern stratigraphic principles and quantitative analytical methods to study the fossil record. Have fun Tessa; I’m jealous I can’t come too!
Congratulations Dr. Kempf
Hannah Kempf has received her PhD! She will be sorely missed, but we are excited that she will be close by as she starts her postdoctoral fellowship with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. Congratulations Hannah!
UC Davis T.rex Crowdfund a dino-sized success
Last month, Dr. Gold initiated a UCD Crowdfund to bring a Tyrannosaurs rex skull replica to campus. We stomped past our goal thanks to 120 contributors, making us the most popular crowdfund! This is the first step towards a mini-museum sharing our UCD’s fossil collection.
Congratulations Hannah, CA Sea Grant State Fellow!
Hannah has received a prestigious, postdoctoral California Sea Grant State Fellowship! As a fellow Hannah will be partnered with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, learning how this government agency works and how to develop coastal environmental policy.
Thanks for Current and Past Support