Theo O'Malley

Theo O'Malley is a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, working in the Lise Meitner Group 'Technological Primates'. His research bridges behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and animal cognition through studies of invasive species and primate tool use.

• PhD in Behavioral Ecology from the University of Auckland
• Specializes in movement ecology and population disruption dynamics

Research Focus:
Combines invasive species management techniques with primate behavioral studies to explore cognitive evolution linked to tool use. Current projects examine spatiotemporal/social cognition in wild primates (macaques, capuchins, chimpanzees) and individual behavioral variation influenced by personality traits.

Publication Trends
Focuses on operational conservation strategies (toxin treatments, trapping methodologies) and analytical approaches to movement pattern analysis in invasive and native species.

Collaborations
Works with Dr. Lydia Luncz’s lab and contributes to New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 initiative through field studies and modeling.