David “Davey” Kline ’96 is a world-leading expert in coral reef ecology and conservation, internationally recognized for his pioneering research on coral disease and the impacts of climate change on reef health. His journey into marine biology began at Carleton, where he majored in biology and graduated summa cum laude. It was during a Carleton field course in Australia that his first dive in the Great Barrier Reef inspired his lifelong mission to understand and protect coral reefs. He later earned his PhD from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego before completing prestigious post-doctoral appointments at the University of Queensland and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Throughout his career, Kline has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $10 million in research funding. He is a leader in developing innovative conservation technologies, notably co-creating CoralNet—an open-source platform that utilizes machine learning to analyze reef biodiversity—and inventing the world’s first Free Ocean Carbon Enrichment (FOCE) system for conducting climate change experiments in natural habitats. Beyond his technical achievements, he has held key leadership roles, including staff scientist at the Smithsonian and executive director of the Pacific Blue Foundation, where he leads community-driven, climate-resilient conservation efforts in Fiji. He is celebrated for translating complex ecological data for the public through award-winning documentary filmmaking, photography, and educational exhibits. Kline’s international conservation work and dedication to interdisciplinary environmental solutions exemplify his leadership and global impact.