David S. Carlson, Ph.D., is the Interim Director of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology, located in Houston in the Texas Medical Center. He also serves as Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies of the Texas A&M Health Science Center.

He was formerly the Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Education at Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Carlson received his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in 1974. Prior to coming to the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center he was on the faculty of the University of Michigan Medical School and School of Dentistry.

Dr. Carlson is the Robert E. Gaylord Endowed Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry and a Regents Professor of the Texas A&M Health Science Center.