David Applegate is an American scientist who has served as the 18th director of the United States Geological Survey from 2022 to 2025.

On January 20, 2021, Applegate began serving as acting director of the USGS.

[2] On March 8, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Applegate to serve as director of the agency.

[3][4] Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Energy Committee on April 28, 2022.

The committee favorably reported his nomination to the Senate floor on June 14, 2022.