Brady O'Connor, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher at The Ohio State University with expertise in microbiology, particularly in working with difficult and low biomass samples.

Columbus, Ohio, United States of America

Research Expertise

Environmental Microbiology

Extremophile Microbiology

Molecular Biology

Astrobiology

Classical Microbiology

Next-Generation Sequencing

Genomic Analysis

Grant Writing

Publication Writing

Science Communication

Fieldwork

Project Management

About

I hold a PhD in Microbiology from McGill University and am a current Postdoctoral Fellow at The Ohio State University specializing in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, and genomic analyses. My work explores how microorganisms survive in extreme environments, with broad applications in climate science, biotechnology, and planetary exploration. Throughout my academic and research career, I have received numerous awards recognizing excellence in research and scientific communication. These honours reflect not only the quality of my work but also my commitment to delivering results that are innovative, rigorous, and impactful — qualities I bring to every client engagement. Beyond research, I have hands-on experience leading multidisciplinary projects, coordinating field expeditions in remote environments, and supporting teams with scientific writing, data analysis, and project management. I am particularly adept at designing experiments and planning sequencing projects and have extensive experience in 'omics data analysis. I am committed to delivering high-quality, actionable insights tailored to each client’s unique needs. I enjoy collaborating with partners across academia, industry, and startups to solve complex challenges, communicate scientific findings clearly, and accelerate innovation. Whether you need expert consulting, help with experimental design, scientific content development, or project management support, I bring a solution-focused approach with clear communication and a commitment to your goals. Let’s connect to see how I can help move your project forward.

Publications

Glacial secrets uncovered: Revealing the modes of survival of metabolically active microbial communities entrapped in polar glacial ice

ARPHA Conference Abstracts / Oct 18, 2023

O’Connor, B., & Whyte, L. (2023). Glacial secrets uncovered: Revealing the modes of survival of metabolically active microbial communities entrapped in polar glacial ice. ARPHA Conference Abstracts, 6. https://doi.org/10.3897/aca.6.e108883

Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report

Astrobiology / Jun 01, 2020

Carrier, B. L., Beaty, D. W., Meyer, M. A., Blank, J. G., Chou, L., DasSarma, S., Des Marais, D. J., Eigenbrode, J. L., Grefenstette, N., Lanza, N. L., Schuerger, A. C., Schwendner, P., Smith, H. D., Stoker, C. R., Tarnas, J. D., Webster, K. D., Bakermans, C., Baxter, B. K., Bell, M. S., … Xu, J. (2020). Mars Extant Life: What’s Next? Conference Report. Astrobiology, 20(6), 785–814. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2020.2237

Taxonomic Characterization and Microbial Activity Determination of Cold-Adapted Microbial Communities in Lava Tube Ice Caves from Lava Beds National Monument, a High-Fidelity Mars Analogue Environment

Astrobiology / May 01, 2021

O’Connor, B. R. W., Fernández-Martínez, M. Á., Léveillé, R. J., & Whyte, L. G. (2021). Taxonomic Characterization and Microbial Activity Determination of Cold-Adapted Microbial Communities in Lava Tube Ice Caves from Lava Beds National Monument, a High-Fidelity Mars Analogue Environment. Astrobiology, 21(5), 613–627. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2020.2327

Microfluidics Microbial Activity MicroAssay: An Automated In Situ Microbial Metabolic Detection System

Astrobiology / Feb 01, 2022

Touchette, D., Altshuler, I., Raymond-Bouchard, I., Fernández-Martínez, M. Á., Bourdages, L.-J., O’Connor, B., Ricco, A. J., & Whyte, L. G. (2022). Microfluidics Microbial Activity MicroAssay: An Automated In Situ Microbial Metabolic Detection System. Astrobiology, 22(2), 158–170. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2021.0072

Draft Genome Sequence of Rheinheimera sp. KL1, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada

Genome Announcements / Oct 29, 2015

O’Connor, B. R. W., Perry, B. J., & Yost, C. K. (2015). Draft Genome Sequence of Rheinheimera sp. KL1, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Genome Announcements, 3(5). https://doi.org/10.1128/genomea.01177-15

Education

McGill University

PhD Microbiology, Natural Resource Sciences

Montreal

University of Regina

B.Sc. Biology (Hons.) , Biology / June, 2016

Regina

McGill University - Macdonald Campus

University of Regina

Bachelor of Science - Honours, Biology, General / June, 2016

Experience

McGill University

Teaching Assistant / September, 2018 — April, 2024

The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences

Postdoctoral Researcher / November, 2024 — Present

McGill University - Macdonald Campus

PHD Student / September, 2017 — November, 2024

Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory (formerly Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory)

Research Assistant / November, 2016 — September, 2017

Performed routine testing of clinical samples for the presence of respiratory viruses and West Nile Virus.

Links & Social Media

LinkedIn

OSU Profile

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