David is Pharmacist with a Ph.D from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain, with posgraduate specialisation in the programme on quality of solis and water of the Institute of Food Analysis and Research of the University of Santiago de Compostela. The topic of his PhD thesis dissertation was the utilisation of bauxite red mud as liners for storage and attenuation of hazardous toxic wastes, which was awarded with the Prize Juan Artieda 2008-2009. He completed postdoctoral research work at RWTH Aachen University, Germany and Universidad of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. His main research interests include the characterisation and reutilisation of industrial and mining wastes, quality and remediation of soils, water and mine waste deposits, the biogeochemistry and speciation of arsenic in soils and waters impacted by mining activities, the ecotoxicology of arsenic, and the assessment of ecological and human health risks by exposure to potentially toxic elements. During his scientific career, David has participated in various national and international research projects and has authored multiple articles in indexed scientific journals, as well as contributed in international scientific congresses and symposia in diverse countries.

David currently holds the position of Scientific Leader at SMI-ICE-Chile. He is based in the city of Concepción, in his role as special liaison with Universidad de Concepción, where he conducts research on the geochemical stability, impacts and risks for human and ecosystems health by metal and metalloid toxic elements in Chilean mine wastes, arsenic exposure pathways, development of innovative technologies for tailings transformation, and on sustainability of the future mining in Chile.