David conducts research on malaria, particularly involving population genetic, experimental and epidemiological studies of parasites. Based in London, he also works with colleagues in several countries in West Africa, as well as in Malaysia. He has served as Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty, and also as Head of Department and as Departmental Research Degrees Coordinator. He was previously Head of Malaria Research Programme at the MRC Unit in The Gambia where he studied many aspects of the disease in relation to natural infection and transmission. Prior to that has also worked on other infectious diseases including trachoma and strongyloidiasis. He studied at the University of Nottingham and University of Edinburgh, and worked at Imperial College London before joining LSHTM.