Opwall Field Notes Podcast: Entry 8 - Darren O'Connell

Opwall's Field Notes - a podcast from Operation Wallacea 🌎 Entry 8!
Dr. Darren O’Connell is a molecular ecologist from Ireland focused on speciation. Darren completed his PhD with Opwall in Sulawesi and played a critical role in identifying the Wangi-wangi White-eye, an Indonesian bird new to science. Today, Darren is studying honey bee colonies in Ireland to understand how climate change and other stressors affect these populations.
In this episode, we cover how Darren ended up studying island biogeography and speciation, what these studies tell us about conservation efforts, and the long and challenging process of describing a new species.
For over 25 years, Operation Wallacea has been running biodiversity research expeditions across the globe. We’ve gathered a lot of stories along the way, showing how conservation research builds communities, inspires change and tackles the biggest threats to our natural world.
Join us while we interview researchers, local organizers, and community conservationists about new research, protecting biodiversity, and daily life out in the field.
Episode Outline:
[0.43] Darren’s background
[3.09] Darren’s inspiration to become a scientist and when he decided to study birds
[5.09] Key research questions of Darren’s PhD work with Opwall
[8.41] Why Darren is interested in evolutionary biology
[9:58] What is speciation and why is it important to understand?
[12.24] What is island biogeography and how does it relate to speciation?
[14.42] How did Darren’s research contribute to our knowledge of island biogeography in Indonesia?
[18.18] When you can declare a new species
[22.09] The process of describing a new species and the significance of the Wangi Wangi White-eye
[27.21] Darren’s work after Opwall
[32.40] Darren’s favourite parts of field work
[34.33] Advice for people who are interested in starting a career in wildlife ecology & conservation
[36.48] What keeps Darren fighting to protect biodiversity?
[38.50] Darren’s recommended resources for learning more about some of the topics covered in this podcast
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Research Assistant Expeditions: www.opwall.com/undergraduate-...
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Field Courses: www.opwall.com/field-courses/
Online Work Experience Internships: www.opwall.com/schools/educat...
School Expeditions: www.opwall.com/schools/
School Field Courses: www.opwall.com/field-courses/
About Operation Wallacea
Operation Wallacea is a biodiversity research organisation with study sites and research project all over the world. We collect wildlife, ecology, and biodiversity monitoring data that we use to inform and create wildlife conservation management strategies.
We are joined on our expeditions by Research Assistants, Dissertation/Thesis University Students, and teachers leading school trips. We also offer online work experience internships, field courses, and online field courses.