David grew up in the Buffalo area but left some forty years ago before returning to join Teachspin in 2021. During his hiatus, he received an undergraduate degree in Engineering-Physics (Princeton), a MS/PhD in Applied Physics (Caltech), retired from a 17-year academic career as a Professor of Physics, and prior to his teaching career, spent a decade in the high tech materials. David was involved in 4 startups over the years – one of which continues to this day, another was acquired by a large biotech firm, and the other two went through IPOs. As a professor, David as always loved the experimental approach to teaching and thinks there is much more to offer in that regard at the intersection of physics and materials. In his spare time David likes to do makerspace type things and stay tangentially involved in the world of advanced materials startups.