Ian Owens

Ian Owens is a Professor and Director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department. He holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Leicester (1991) and a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Liverpool (1988). His research focuses on avian ecology, evolution, and conservation, with an emphasis on global biodiversity, invasive species impacts, and the genetic basis of wild populations. Owens has held leadership roles at institutions such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and Imperial College London. His work integrates field experiments, genetic analyses, and big data to address ecological and evolutionary questions. He leads initiatives like eBird and the Macaulay Library, leveraging citizen science for biodiversity monitoring. Key themes include biogeographical patterns, evolutionary mechanisms, and conservation strategies for endangered species.

His research interests span community ecology, evolutionary processes, and organismal biology, with a focus on applying ecological insights to global sustainability challenges. Notable contributions include studies on avian migration’s role in coevolution with parasites, phenotypic plasticity in island birds, and the ecological drivers of body size variation. Owens’ work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, combining genomics, spatial analysis, and citizen science to inform conservation policies.

Publications highlight his exploration of avian life history strategies, extinction risk factors, and the ecological impacts of invasive species. He has pioneered global biodiversity assessments, advocating for the integration of natural history collections to address environmental challenges. While no formal awards are listed, his leadership and research contributions have significantly impacted conservation science and ornithology.