David Lopez-Carr

Introduction

David López-Carr is a prominent figure in the field of geography, currently serving as a Professor of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He leads the Human-Environment Dynamics Lab (HED) and holds the position of Associate Dean for the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). His extensive academic involvement also includes roles as Editor in Chief of Populations and an affiliate professor in Global and International Studies as well as Latin American & Iberian Studies. López-Carr’s work significantly intersects population dynamics, health, rural development, and environmental conservation.

Early Life and Education

López-Carr’s journey began in rural New Hampshire and Maine, where he was raised. He completed his high school education at Orono High School before embarking on an enriching experience studying abroad for a year in La Palma del Condado, Huelva, Spain. In 1993, he began his undergraduate studies at Bates College. Following his time at college, López-Carr briefly served as a legislative assistant for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

His academic pursuits took him to Ecuador on a Fulbright grant, where he worked as a tour guide in the Amazon and translated various works related to Latin American history, poetry, and environmental law. Afterward, he joined the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina, conducting graduate research that further solidified his expertise in geography. In 2002, he earned a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of North Carolina and subsequently completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Biostatistics at the same institution’s School of Public Health.

Research Focus and Contributions

López-Carr’s research primarily investigates the interconnectedness of population dynamics, health issues, rural development, agriculture, and environmental resource management. His work emphasizes how livelihoods are tied to natural systems on both local and regional scales. To explore these complex relationships, he employs mixed methods that integrate quantitative data collection with remote sensing and secondary social and biophysical data analysis.

Currently, his projects span across continents including ongoing research initiatives in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. He has collaborated with various organizations focused on conservation and development such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conservation International (CI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Notably, López-Carr was a lead author on significant chapters concerning land use and environmental drivers for the United Nations Environment Program’s Global Environmental Outlook (Geo-5), which served as a pivotal document during the 2012 World Summit held in Rio de Janeiro.

With over 231 scholarly publications to his name that have garnered citations exceeding 7,600 times, López-Carr’s contributions to geography are well-recognized. His work has appeared in prestigious journals including two articles in Nature and two in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). His research has attracted substantial funding—over $10 million—from various fellowships and grants from esteemed institutions like NASA, NOAA, NSF, NIH, and more.

Professional Appointments

López-Carr’s professional trajectory is marked by numerous significant appointments that reflect his leadership within academic circles. As of 2023, he serves as Associate Dean for the UC Education Abroad Program while also being an Affiliate Researcher at the UC Center for Climate, Health, and Equity. His leadership extends to roles such as Co-Director of the UC Global Health Institute’s Planetary Health Center of Expertise from 2016 to 2020.

Previously holding various positions within UCSB’s Geography Department since 2004—including Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor—López-Carr has consistently contributed to academic governance through committee service. He directed Latin American and Iberian Studies from 2012 to 2015 and has been actively involved in interdisciplinary programs related to Marine Sciences.

Awards and Recognition

López-Carr’s scholarly achievements have been recognized through numerous awards spanning both academic excellence and contributions to mentoring students. In 2024 alone, he received multiple awards including those from the Ecological Society of America and the Association of American Geographers for his research excellence. His distinction as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow highlights his significant contributions to understanding human population dynamics alongside environmental change.

Other notable recognitions include being named a shared Nobel Peace Prize VIP honoree in 2008 during a global forum on climate change at UCLA. He was also awarded the Harold C. Pillsbury Research Award and received Fulbright Fellowships for his scholarly endeavors across multiple countries.