Tim O’Brien joined the Center for International Development in 2015, working on both Growth Lab and Building State Capability projects.

He has led growth diagnostic research in Albania and Sri Lanka. 

Tim holds a Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) degree from the Harvard Kennedy School and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University.

Tim served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi from 2008-2010 and has experience working with the World Bank and in environmental engineering.

Tim’s research interests center on the challenges of economic transformation and adapting to climate change in developing countries and vulnerable communities.