Dr. David Babson currently serves as a Program Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA‑E) in the Department of Energy. His focus at ARPA-E includes bioenergy, agricultural systems innovation, and carbon management.

Prior to joining ARPA-E, Babson served as the Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and the Environment in the Office of the Chief Scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). There, he led R&D coordination efforts on carbon management, climate adaptation, sustainability, agricultural systems innovation, bioenergy, and biotechnology.