Claire L. O'Connell

About me

My interest in animal behavior and conservation began during my undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University, where I earned a B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture in 2019. There, I developed a strong foundation in ecology and conservation science and cultivated a deep respect for the natural world. I was also introduced to researchers whose work on animal behavior revealed how social dynamics can shape welfare, protection, and long-term conservation outcomes. Their influence helped clarify my own path: contributing to the scientific understanding of animal behavior and applying that knowledge to improve how we coexist with wildlife.

Before graduate school, I gained research experience interning at Mote Marine Lab, the Nashville Zoo, and working at Hastings Natural History Reserve on the long-term acorn woodpecker project.

I joined the Hobson Lab at the University of Cincinnati in the fall of 2020 where I researched how monk parakeets initiate and develop new affiliative social bonds. Ultimately, I aimed to understand social processes that underlie animals’ ability to flexibly adapt to dynamic environments, or social resilience.

Affiliative partners allopreening (grooming) one another. Birds are marked with a unique three-color combination using non-toxic markers. These color combinations help observers identify individuals while collecting data. Photo credit: Claire L. O’Connell

My long-term goals center on bridging the gap between behavioral ecology, conservation practice, and public understanding. By integrating conceptual frameworks from behavioral ecology with robust analytical tools, I aim to help develop management strategies that more effectively protect and conserve social species, especially those whose survival depends on the strength and flexibility of their social systems.

I love fieldwork, good data visualizations, and learning new analytical tools (even when they make my brain hurt a little). I’m passionate about making behavioral ecology more accessible, whether that’s through teaching, writing, or sharing resources that demystify coding and analysis. Outside of research, I love to bird and to do any type of arts and/or crafts, including sewing, ceramics, and painting.