Dr. Thomas Brooks is IUCN’s Chief Scientist, with areas of expertise in biodiversity conservation, ornithology and ecology. Before joining IUCN in January 2013, he was Vice President for Science and Chief Scientist of NatureServe. He’s also held biodiversity science positions in Conservation International and the Nature Conservancy and visiting appointments at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

Trained as an ornithologist with field experience primarily in tropical forest hotspots like the Philippines, Paraguay and Indonesia, Thomas has a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology and a B.A. in geography. He is the author of more than 250 scientific and popular articles.