Darren Oconnell

Background

About Darren Oconnell

My primary research interest is in the fundamental evolutionary mechanisms that underlie speciation. I am focused on uncovering what role competition plays in speciation, particularly in island systems. My general research interests include conservation biology, seabird ecology, restoration ecology, behavioural ecology and social evolution. I am also an enthusiastic promoter of citizen science biodiversity monitoring. I feel that harnessing the efforts of skilled amateurs in monitoring our national biodiversity will be a key element in appropriately attributing resources for conservation. I have a broad skills base which makes me suitable for the multifaceted nature of modern evolutionary research. Field skills: I have extensive experience working in the field on evolutionary research and practical conservation projects, mostly in avian systems. I am skilled in both hands on (handling, tagging, mist netting and blood sampling study birds) and observational (transects, point counts and focal behavioural sampling) field work. Lab skills: I am proficient at molecular lab work, from extracting the DNA sample to producing a finished sequence. I also have experience in stable isotope analysis and assessment of parasite load Analytical skills: the use of R statistical software to analyse multivariate ecological data. The use of MrBayes and MEGA to model bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenies. Mapping territory range and use using GIS.