Rate My Professor Wayne O'Connor

Conjoint Professor Wayne O'Connor serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Science at the University of Newcastle, part of the College of Engineering, Science and Environment. He earned his PhD in Molluscan Biology from the University of Technology Sydney between 1996 and 2000, and his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology from the University of Newcastle from 1981 to 1984. Currently, as Senior Principal Research Scientist at the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, he has amassed over 30 years of experience in aquaculture research. His career also includes positions as Adjunct Associate Professor in Genecology at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Visiting Fellow in Biological Sciences at Macquarie University.

O'Connor's research interests center on advancing shellfish aquaculture, including production techniques for Sydney rock oysters, pearl oysters, scallops, mussels, and clams, as well as algal culture. His work addresses key challenges such as climate change adaptation, including ocean acidification and marine heatwaves, disease resistance like QX disease, accumulation of algal toxins, and the impacts of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on oysters. Notable contributions include leading breeding programs for genetic improvement of Sydney rock oysters. He has been recognized with the Public Service Medal in the 2023 Australia Day Honours for outstanding public service in fisheries research and the 2017 NSW Premier's Prize for Innovation in NSW Public Sector Science and Engineering. Key publications encompass "Selectively bred oysters can alter their biomineralization pathways and improve yield" published in Global Change Biology in 2019, "Fingerprinting Plastic-Associated Inorganic and Organic Matter on Microplastics" in Environmental Science & Technology in 2021, "Understanding the Fundamental Basis for Biofilm Formation and Biofouling on Abalone Shells" in 2021, and "Lipidomic alterations in oysters caused by environmentally relevant exposure to microplastics and estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals" in Ecotoxicology in 2026. His research has garnered over 11,000 citations, underscoring his impact on sustainable marine aquaculture.