Interests

Alex has a background in marine research, conservation and international project delivery, having worked across coral reef monitoring, biodiversity research and applied conservation in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, West Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific. He is particularly interested in how strong coordination, planning and stakeholder engagement can help scientific evidence translate into practical conservation impact. Much of his research focus has been on the implementation of novel technologies in biodiversity monitoring, such as photogrammetry, acoustics and stereo-video.

Before joining BTO, Alex spent several years with Operation Wallacea, most recently as Head of Marine Research, where he oversaw global marine research strategy and field operations for projects in seven countries. His work combined scientific oversight with the practical delivery of large-scale field research expeditions, including oversight of research teams, supporting partnerships with universities and in-country organisations, and helping ensure that monitoring and research outputs could inform targeted conservation action.

Prior to that, he was based in Utila, Honduras, as Director of Conservation. In his current role as Science Manager at BTO, he supports the delivery and oversight of scientific projects across the organisation, with a particular interest in helping teams deliver high-quality science effectively and consistently, and in strengthening the systems and coordination that support research with clear strategic value and real-world impact.

Outside of work, Alex enjoys being in and around the water, whether surfing, paddleboarding, wild swimming or anything else! He also enjoys reading, and the pursuit of improving his skills in chess and photography.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, Newcastle University

Other publications

O’Brien, A.H., Borcsok, A. & Carias, C. 2026. Growth anomalies in Acropora palmata (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) from Tela Bay, Honduras: a reappearance in the Caribbean after nearly four decades. Caribbean Journal of Science 56(1): 185–191

Carrasco Navas-Parejo, J.C., O’Brien, A.H., Zepeda-Centeno, C., Montalván Torres, B.C., Guerrero, C.A., Rodriguez, A., Perez, H., Alegría, A.B., Dueñas, D.E., Mejia, D., Randazzo-Eisemann, A.M., Nuñez, S.N. & Rivera-Sosa, A. 2025. Honduras. In Wicquart, J., Mathon, L., Petit, A., Rivera-Sosa, A. & McField, M. (eds.), Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970–2024. Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). DOI: 10.59387/BDHF9180

Molina-Hernández, A., Estrada Saldívar, N., Muñiz Castillo, A.I., Arias-Gonzalez, J.E., O’Brien, A.H., Soto, M., Ruiz Zarate, M.A., Vega Zepeda, A., Calle-Triviño, J., Blanco, M., Mendoza, S. & Rivera-Sosa, A. 2025. Mexico. In Wicquart, J., Mathon, L., Petit, A., Rivera-Sosa, A. & McField, M. (eds.), Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970–2024. Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). DOI: 10.59387/BDHF918