Dr. George Olah

Contacts

Honorary Lecturer

Research interests

During my research career I have focused on tropical ecology, conservation genetics, and used cutting-edge next-generation sequencing technology to study modern and museum samples of birds for their conservation management. My research has allowed me to advance knowledge about conservation genetics in the context of the interacting environmental and anthropogenic threats. In order to transform this generated scientific knowledge into conservation action, I believe it is essential to communicate with a broader audience via publicly accessible sources and directly with decision makers. At the wider community level, I am a very passionate science communicator and wildlife documentary filmmaker.

  • Olah, G, Stojanovic, D, Webb, M et al. 2021, 'Comparison of three techniques for genetic estimation of
    effective population size in a critically endangered parrot', Animal Conservation, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 491-498.
  • Pires, S, Olah, G, Nandika, D et al. 2021, 'What drives the illegal parrot trade? Applying a criminological model to market and seizure data in Indonesia', Biological Conservation, vol. 257.
  • Olah, G, Smith, B, Joseph, L et al. 2021, 'Advancing genetic methods in the study of parrot biology and conservation', Diversity, vol. 13, no. 11.
  • Nandika D, Agustina D, Heinsohn R, Olah G 2021, 'Wildlife trade influencing natural parrot populations on a biodiverse Indonesian island', Diversity, vol. 13, no. 10.
  • Vergara-Tabares, D, Cordier, J, Landi, M et al. 2020, 'Global trends of habitat destruction and consequences for parrot conservation', Global Change Biology, vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 4251-4262.
  • Heinsohn, R, Olah, G, Webb, M et al. 2019, 'Sex ratio bias and shared paternity reduce individual fitness and population viability in a critically endangered parrot', Journal of Animal Ecology, vol. 88, no. 4, pp. 502-510.
  • Crates, R, Olah, G, Adamski, M et al. 2019, 'Genomic impact of severe population decline in a nomadic songbird', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 14, no. 10, pp. 1-19pp.
  • Stojanovic, D, Olah, G, Peakall, R et al. 2018, 'Genetic evidence confirms severe extinction risk for
    critically endangered swift parrots: implications for
    conservation management', Animal Conservation, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 313-323.
  • Olah, G, Theuerkauf, J, Legault, A et al. 2018, 'Parrots of Oceania - a comparative study of extinction risk', Emu - Austral Ornithology, vol. 118, no. 1, pp. 94-112.
  • Olah, G, Smith, A, Asner, G et al. 2017, 'Exploring dispersal barriers using landscape genetic resistance modelling in scarlet macaws of the Peruvian Amazon', Landscape Ecology, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 445-456.
  • Olah, G, Heinsohn, R, Brightsmith, D et al. 2017, 'The application of non-invasive genetic tagging reveals new insights into the clay lick use by macaws in the Peruvian Amazon', Conservation Genetics, vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 1037-1046pp.
  • Olah, G, Heinsohn, R, Brightsmith, D et al. 2016, 'Validation of non-invasive genetic tagging in two large macaw species (Ara macao and A-chloropterus) of the Peruvian Amazon', Conservation Genetics Resources, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 499-509pp.
  • Olah, G, Butchart, S, Symes, A et al. 2016, 'Ecological and socio-economic factors affecting extinction risk in parrots', Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 205-223.
  • Olah, G, Heinsohn, R, Espinoza, J, Brightsmith, D, and Peakall, R, 2015, 'An evaluation of primers for microsatellite markers in Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) and their performance in a Peruvian wild population', Conservation Genetics Resources, vol. 7, pp. 157-159.
  • Olah, G, Vigo, G, Heinsohn, R, and Brightsmith, D, 2014, 'Nest site selection and efficacy of artificial nests for breeding success of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao macao) in lowland Peru', Journal for Nature Conservation, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 176-185.
  • Olah, G, Vigo, G, Ortiz, L, Rozsa, L, and Brightsmith, D, 2013, 'Philornis sp. bot fly larvae in free living scarlet macaw nestlings and a new technique for their extraction', Veterinary Parasitology, vol. 196, no. 1-2, pp. 245-249.
  • Olah, G & Rozsa, L 2006, 'Nitrogen metabolic wastes do not influence drinking water preference in feral pigeons', Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 401-406.