David Adler (April 13, 1935 – March 31, 1987) was an American physicist and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor.

In condensed matter physics, Adler made significant contributions to the understanding of transition-metal oxides, the electronic properties of low-mobility materials, transport phenomena in amorphous materials, metal-insulator transitions, and electronic defects in amorphous semiconductors.

He then became a research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1965, advancing to full professor in the department of electrical engineering and computer science in 1975.

Adler played a key role in the development and operation of MIT’s Concourse, a small, interdisciplinary program of studies for undergraduates.

Adler was also well known in the physics community for his love and knowledge of fine food and world travel.