Presenter
Miles O’Brien
Biography
Miles O’Brien is a distinguished independent journalist who focuses on science, technology, and aerospace. He serves as the science correspondent for PBS News Hour and is a producer, director, writer, and correspondent for the acclaimed PBS documentary programs NOVA and FRONTLINE.
He is the executive producer and host of a new science series commissioned by Arizona Public Television. The series, “Resolve to Solve,” premieres in April 2025 and focuses on scientists solving wicked, thorny problems.
O'Brien also contributes as an aviation analyst for CNN. He owns MOBIAS Media, Inc., a production company known for creating award-winning documentary films for PBS and various educational and corporate clients.
Over his 40-year career in journalism, O’Brien spent nearly 17 years as a staff correspondent and anchor at CNN, working from both Atlanta and New York. He specialized in science, environment, and aerospace coverage during his tenure and anchored various programs, including American Morning. Notably, he brokered an unprecedented deal with NASA to become the first journalist to fly to the International Space Station aboard the space shuttle. This project ended tragically with the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew in 2003. O’Brien’s 16-hour live coverage of the disaster was critically acclaimed.
Before joining CNN, O’Brien honed his reporting skills at television stations in St. Joseph, Missouri; Albany, New York; Tampa, Florida; and Boston, Massachusetts. He began his television career as a desk assistant at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.
A passionate aviator, O’Brien is an instrument-rated pilot with over 2,600 flight hours in various aircraft. His love for aviation was kindled in his youth, when he flew alongside his father, a private pilot.
O’Brien has been recognized throughout his career with numerous accolades, including six Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a DuPont Award. He has produced, written, and directed 11 films for PBS NOVA, including "Mind of a Rampage Killer" (2013), "Manhunt—Boston Bombers" (2013), "Megastorm Aftermath" (2013), "Why Planes Vanish" (2014), "Nuclear Meltdown Disaster" (2015), "15 Years of Terror" (2016), "The Nuclear Option" (2017), "Inside the Megafire" (2019), "The Great Electric Airplane Race" (2021), "Chasing Carbon Zero" (2023), and "A.I. Revolution" (2024).
O'Brien also produced, wrote, and directed the FRONTLINE documentary "Coronavirus Pandemic" (2020) and served as a writer and correspondent for four other FRONTLINE documentaries: "Flying Cheap" (2010), "Flying Cheaper" (2011), "Nuclear Aftershocks" (2012), and "Dollars and Dentists" (2012).
In 2014, O’Brien’s life took a dramatic turn when he suffered a severe injury while on assignment — a heavy equipment case fell on his forearm, leading to acute compartment syndrome and the subsequent emergency amputation of his left arm above the elbow. Undeterred, he has completed two marathons, several ultra-distance bike rides, and a Half Ironman. Remarkably, he has also been re-certified to pilot airplanes.
Born in Detroit and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, O’Brien now resides in Falmouth, Massachusetts, with his wife, Suzanne. He studied history at Georgetown University but left school to start in journalism a semester shy of a diploma. O’Brien is the proud father of two grown children: his son, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander stationed in Manama, Bahrain, and his daughter, a social worker aiding the homeless in New York City.
He is the executive producer and host of a new science series commissioned by Arizona Public Television. The series, “Resolve to Solve,” premieres in April 2025 and focuses on scientists solving wicked, thorny problems.
O'Brien also contributes as an aviation analyst for CNN. He owns MOBIAS Media, Inc., a production company known for creating award-winning documentary films for PBS and various educational and corporate clients.
Over his 40-year career in journalism, O’Brien spent nearly 17 years as a staff correspondent and anchor at CNN, working from both Atlanta and New York. He specialized in science, environment, and aerospace coverage during his tenure and anchored various programs, including American Morning. Notably, he brokered an unprecedented deal with NASA to become the first journalist to fly to the International Space Station aboard the space shuttle. This project ended tragically with the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew in 2003. O’Brien’s 16-hour live coverage of the disaster was critically acclaimed.
Before joining CNN, O’Brien honed his reporting skills at television stations in St. Joseph, Missouri; Albany, New York; Tampa, Florida; and Boston, Massachusetts. He began his television career as a desk assistant at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.
A passionate aviator, O’Brien is an instrument-rated pilot with over 2,600 flight hours in various aircraft. His love for aviation was kindled in his youth, when he flew alongside his father, a private pilot.
O’Brien has been recognized throughout his career with numerous accolades, including six Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a DuPont Award. He has produced, written, and directed 11 films for PBS NOVA, including "Mind of a Rampage Killer" (2013), "Manhunt—Boston Bombers" (2013), "Megastorm Aftermath" (2013), "Why Planes Vanish" (2014), "Nuclear Meltdown Disaster" (2015), "15 Years of Terror" (2016), "The Nuclear Option" (2017), "Inside the Megafire" (2019), "The Great Electric Airplane Race" (2021), "Chasing Carbon Zero" (2023), and "A.I. Revolution" (2024).
O'Brien also produced, wrote, and directed the FRONTLINE documentary "Coronavirus Pandemic" (2020) and served as a writer and correspondent for four other FRONTLINE documentaries: "Flying Cheap" (2010), "Flying Cheaper" (2011), "Nuclear Aftershocks" (2012), and "Dollars and Dentists" (2012).
In 2014, O’Brien’s life took a dramatic turn when he suffered a severe injury while on assignment — a heavy equipment case fell on his forearm, leading to acute compartment syndrome and the subsequent emergency amputation of his left arm above the elbow. Undeterred, he has completed two marathons, several ultra-distance bike rides, and a Half Ironman. Remarkably, he has also been re-certified to pilot airplanes.
Born in Detroit and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, O’Brien now resides in Falmouth, Massachusetts, with his wife, Suzanne. He studied history at Georgetown University but left school to start in journalism a semester shy of a diploma. O’Brien is the proud father of two grown children: his son, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander stationed in Manama, Bahrain, and his daughter, a social worker aiding the homeless in New York City.
Presentations