David Foster

Areas of Responsibility

• AI and Cognitive Science Initiative
• CLAS Nominations for UF Research Foundation (UFRF) Professorships
• Faculty Fellowship Awards
• Re-organization of the CLAS research enterprise to increase sponsored research
• Research:
  • Animal care issues
  • Chair of CLAS Research Advisory Committee
  • CLAS Research Office supervision
  • CLAS “SPARK” research funding opportunity
  • Coordination of special research initiatives
  • Coordination of training of new faculty in proposal preparation
  • Liaison to other college research offices and to the Office of Research to promote interdisciplinary cooperation
  • Research misconduct
  • Research Opportunity Seed Fund
  • Review of matching requests
  • Review of new faculty startup funding requests

Brief Biography

David Foster (PH.D., State University of New York, Albany, 1989) is professor of geological sciences. He was a member of the research faculty at Latrobe University in Australia before joining UF as an assistant professor in 1998. Foster was promoted to associate professor in 2000 and to professor in 2005. He served as associate chair for the Department of Geological Sciences from 2007-2013, and chair from 2013-2022.

Foster has taught at all curriculum levels, from introductory undergraduate courses to advanced graduate classes, and led the development of the first online Geology BA degree in the nation. His research focus is on continental tectonics and geochronology and, more recently, on applications of enhanced weathering of volcanic rocks to agriculture. He has served on numerous college and university committees, including the CLAS Finance Committee and the Faculty Senate.