David Hastings Eckerd College Professor

David Hastings, Eckerd College Professor, is a marine scientist and professor with more than three decades of experience in oceanography, marine chemistry, and climate science. His career spans academic research, teaching, and public engagement focused on understanding ocean systems and environmental change. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, cum laude, from Princeton University and later earned both a Master of Science and a PhD in Oceanography from the University of Washington, completing his doctorate in 1994 with recognition for dissertation research in marine science.

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Professor Hastings completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry at Princeton University, where he graduated cum laude and received departmental honors. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Washington, earning both a Master of Science and a PhD in Oceanography. During his doctoral training, he specialized in marine chemistry and environmental geochemistry, focusing on ocean processes and interactions with the climate system. His doctoral work was completed in 1994, and he received the Sigma Xi Doctoral Dissertation Award for excellence in research.

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Dr. Hastings began his professional career at Battelle Columbus Laboratories, working in environmental geochemistry, before transitioning to academic roles at the University of Washington. He served as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant from 1981 to 1985 and later as an Oceanographer III from 1987 to 1990. These positions provided hands-on experience in oceanographic data analysis and marine chemistry research, strengthening his expertise in environmental systems and climate-related scientific investigation. This early stage of his career established a strong foundation for his later academic and research contributions.

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David Hastings, Eckerd College Professor, completed a postdoctoral appointment at the University of British Columbia from 1995 to 1999 as a Research Associate in Earth and Ocean Sciences. He later held visiting and research positions at Boston University from 2006 to 2007 and served as a Scholar-in-Residence in Climate Solutions in Seattle in 2013. These appointments expanded his interdisciplinary research in oceanography, climate science, and environmental systems, fostering collaboration across academic and applied scientific communities. He maintained a focus on cross-disciplinary environmental research throughout these roles.

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Dr. Hastings joined Eckerd College in 2000 and advanced from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and, by 2012, to Professor of Marine Science and Chemistry. He also served as department chair and participated in academic committees related to curriculum development, environmental affairs, and institutional assessment. His teaching emphasized marine science education and interdisciplinary approaches connecting chemistry, oceanography, and environmental studies. Over nearly two decades, he contributed to academic program development and student learning in higher education.

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Professor Hastings conducts research in marine geochemistry, chemical oceanography, paleoceanography, and climate science, with additional focus on microplastics in marine environments. His work includes studies of ocean processes and environmental change, as well as applied research related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, combining fieldwork and laboratory analyses to understand ocean chemistry and climate interactions across modern and historical systems, thereby supporting ongoing scientific understanding.

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David Hastings, Eckerd College Professor, has secured more than $1.5 million in research funding through approximately 30 grants supporting scientific and educational initiatives. He has received multiple awards recognizing teaching excellence, scholarly achievement, and climate science communication from academic and professional organizations. His service includes participation on advisory boards, convening scientific conference sessions, and delivering more than 50 invited lectures on oceanography and climate science. He has also contributed to mentoring programs supported by national science agencies and engaged in environmental policy discussions. He maintains an active outdoor lifestyle in Florida.

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Global Environmental Change Lecture Notes

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The Gainesville Iguana