Justine O'Brien

I am a research scientist and Manager of Conservation Science at the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. I'm an Honorary Associate at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW.

I support a multidisciplinary science team and work with government and non-government organisations to undertake and embed rigorous science in programs conserving biological diversity, ecological processes and systems. Our team works in partnership with Indigenous staff of Taronga's Community and Cultural Programs division and external Indigenous partners to ensure that our science-based conservation and recovery programs are structured to understand and integrate Cultural Knowledge to support ‘right way’ conservation.

I conduct research with focus on gamete biology and strategic cryobanking for conserving genetic diversity in free-ranging and zoo- or aquarium-based wildlife. These programs include scientific and conservation partners based nationally and internationally.