David Letson is Professor of Marine Affairs and Economics at the University of Miami, where he has worked since 1995. He currently serves as Chair of the Division of Marine Affairs. His research focuses on the economics of extreme weather and climate variations. He is interested in the value of predictions from the geosciences and in how those predictions are interpreted and used.

Letson obtained his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and has over 40 publications to his credit.

Dr. Letson currently serves as a member of the NOAA Science Advisory Board’s Oceans and Health Working Group, which convened to evaluate NOAA’s ocean health science efforts and their potential contributions to public safety and societal wellbeing.

Letson serves on the Council of Economic Advisors for Florida TaxWatch, a private, non-profit, non-partisan research institute that provides independent research and education on government revenues, expenditures, taxation and public policies, to increase the productivity and accountability of Florida's Government.

In March 2008, he testified before the Florida House of Representatives Citizens’ Windstorm Insurance and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophic Fund, Committee on Insurance, Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council, on behalf of Florida TaxWatch and at the invitation of Committee Chairman Donald Brown. He was asked what the economic effects on Florida’s economy would be if the hurricanes of the 2004 season were to strike again in 2008. To view a video of Dr. Letson’s testimony, visit: http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/pressreleases/20080515-letson.html