David Gruber

Dr. David Gruber is Founder & President of Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a nonprofit, interdisciplinary scientific and conservation initiative on a mission to listen to and translate the communication of sperm whales. He is also Distinguished Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York, Baruch College. David’s research bridges animal communication, climate science, marine biology, microbiology, molecular ecology and his inventions include technology to help perceive the underwater world from the perspective of marine animals. David’s research led to the discoveries of the first biofluorescent sea turtle, more than 200 species of biofluorescent sea animals and his team identified novel families of fluorescent molecules from eels, sharks and corals. His long-standing collaboration with the Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory has enabled the design of the gentlest robots to better understand, interact with life in the deep ocean. David was awarded the 2019 Lagrange Prize in complex systems science for his advancements “focused on the conservation of biodiversity, protection of resources and the safeguarding of ecosystems.” In 2022, he co-curated “Who Speaks for the Oceans?” at the Mishkin Gallery and has collaborated with a variety of artists.