Dr. Terrance Vincent O’Halloran: Lecturer at University of Guadalajara, Mexico

  • Title/Designation: Dr.

  • Name: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

  • Current Role/Designation: Lecturer

  • Organization/Institution Details: University of Guadalajara

  • Country: Mexico

  • Subject Track: Environmental Science

  • Award Categories: Innovative Researcher Award

Terrance Vincent O’Halloran is an accomplished conservation biologist and environmental sustainability specialist with over a decade of experience in wildlife management, human-wildlife coexistence, and rewilding studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology and Biodiversity Conservation from the University of Salamanca, where his research earned the “Cum Laude” distinction. As founder and director of the Wildity Lab, Terrance develops innovative frameworks for managing wild species impacted by human activity, with a particular focus on the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). His career bridges academic research, community outreach, and public sector leadership to advance conservation goals in North America and Europe.

Online Profiles

ORCID Profile

Education

Terrance’s academic journey reflects a strong foundation in biological sciences and environmental conservation. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Salamanca (2019–2025), focusing on population management and information systems for Mexican wolves, receiving the prestigious “Cum Laude” honor for his thesis. Prior to that, he earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sustainability with a concentration on Conservation of Natural Heritage from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (2014–2016), where he conducted a comparative study on Iberian and Mexican wolves. His undergraduate education in Biology was completed at the University of Guadalajara (2008–2013), with his degree recognized for equivalency by U.S. credential evaluation services.

Research Focus

Terrance’s primary research interests revolve around developing effective conservation strategies for endangered species, particularly through the lens of human-wildlife coexistence and rewilding efforts. His work employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining ecological data analysis, community engagement, and conservation communication. The Wildity Scale, a novel concept developed by Terrance, serves as a key tool for assessing and managing the degrees of “wildness” in reintroduced animal populations. His research addresses challenges such as mitigating human-wolf conflicts, promoting transparency in species recovery programs, and fostering sustainable environmental policies in both rural and urban contexts.

Experience

Terrance’s professional career spans academic, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. Since 2024, he has managed land use and sustainability initiatives for the municipal government of Puerto Vallarta, coordinating cross-sectoral efforts to integrate ecological principles into urban planning. Concurrently, he lectures at the University of Guadalajara, mentoring students and leading field-based learning. His experience also includes significant roles at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where he served as bilingual educator and logistics lead, enhancing public understanding of wildlife conservation. Earlier positions involved teaching and sustainability coordination at Mexican technological institutes, as well as research and species assessment at CONABIO, Mexico’s national biodiversity authority.

Research Timeline & Activities

Starting with internships at Mexico’s National Commission for the Use and Knowledge of Biodiversity (CONABIO) in 2012 and Spain’s Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC) in 2015, Terrance has consistently built his expertise in wildlife conservation. His master’s and doctoral theses (2014–2025) expanded on wolf ecology and management, leading to international conference presentations and publications. In 2025, he founded Wildity Lab, an innovative research platform dedicated to studying wild species impacted by human activity. Throughout his career, he has actively contributed to scientific events and workshops, bridging academic research with community involvement and policy advocacy to promote sustainable conservation practices.

Awards & Honors

Terrance’s work has been recognized at multiple levels, reflecting both academic excellence and impactful environmental contributions. His doctoral thesis earned the highest academic distinction, “Cum Laude,” from the University of Salamanca. In 2014, he was awarded the Environmental Prize “Joven-Es por México” by the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico’s Federal Congress, acknowledging his leadership and innovative approach to conservation. He also received recognition for outstanding academic performance during his undergraduate studies at the University of Guadalajara. These honors underscore his dedication to advancing biodiversity conservation through rigorous research and public engagement.

Top Noted Publication

One of Terrance’s most influential publications is “The Wildity Scale as a management tool for reintroduced specimens,” published in 2025 in Ecological Solutions and Evidence. This peer-reviewed article introduces a novel framework designed to classify and manage animal populations reintroduced into the wild, accounting for varying levels of human influence. The Wildity Scale offers conservation practitioners a practical tool to monitor, evaluate, and adapt management strategies for species recovery, making a significant contribution to contemporary wildlife conservation methodologies. This publication has been cited internationally and continues to influence research and policy related to rewilding and species management.

  • Historical Description of Human–Wolf Populations and Interactions in Mexico
    Preprint, 2025-08-20
    DOI: 10.20944/preprints202508.1469.v1
    Contributor: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

  • The Wildity Scale as a management tool for reintroduced specimens
    Ecological Solutions and Evidence, July 2025
    DOI: 10.1002/2688-8319.70096
    Contributor: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

  • Transparencia y acceso a la información sobre los lobos (Canis lupus baileyi) reintroducidos en Estados Unidos y México
    XV Congreso Internacional de Manejo de Fauna Silvestre de la Amazonía y Latinoamérica, November 2023
    Conference Paper | Writing – original draft
    Contributor: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

  • Pertinencia del estudio sobre el conflicto entre lobos (Canis lupus baileyi, Nelson y Goldman, 1929) y comunidades humanas en México
    Book Chapter, Biodiversidad y ecología mexicana. Nuevos conocimientos y tecnologías para los retos actuales, January 2021
    Contributor: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

  • Foro: los cocodrilos también son vallartenses
    Ecosistemas, December 2019
    Journal Article
    Contributor: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

  • Estudio comparado sobre la conservación del lobo ibérico (Canis lupus signatus) y el lobo mexicano (Canis lupus baileyi)
    Master’s Thesis, June 2016
    Contributor: Terrance Vincent O’Halloran

Strengths for the Innovative Researcher Award

1. Pioneering the Wildity Scale Framework

Dr. O’Halloran has developed the Wildity Scale, an innovative conceptual and management tool to classify the degrees of “wildness” in reintroduced species. This framework bridges ecological theory and practical conservation, helping researchers and practitioners make informed decisions about species management, particularly for the Mexican wolf. The tool’s applicability across different rewilding contexts demonstrates originality and real-world impact.

2. Multidisciplinary and Transnational Conservation Approach

His work spans ecology, sustainability, sociology, and environmental communication, applying a systems-thinking approach to human–wildlife coexistence. By integrating biological science with public engagement and policy, and operating across Mexico, the U.S., and Europe, Dr. O’Halloran has demonstrated the capacity to adapt research for diverse ecological and socio-political landscapes.

3. Leadership in Conservation Research and Outreach

As founder and director of Wildity Lab, Dr. O’Halloran created a platform dedicated to advancing research on wild species under human control. This initiative has become a model for independent, impact-driven science. His dual role as an academic and public official in Puerto Vallarta also shows a rare fusion of research leadership with policy implementation.

4. Substantial Contribution to Mexican Wolf Conservation

Through peer-reviewed publications, public lectures, and international conferences, Dr. O’Halloran has significantly advanced knowledge of the endangered Canis lupus baileyi. His work addresses gaps in transparency, communication, and historical context—providing a deeper understanding of both ecological and human dimensions in species recovery.

5. Recognized Excellence and Long-Term Commitment

From early accolades like the Environmental Prize “Joven-Es por México” to his recent Cum Laude doctoral honor, Dr. O’Halloran has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and dedication. His more than 10 years of active research, teaching, and public engagement make him a distinguished candidate whose contributions are shaping the future of conservation science.

Terrance Vincent O’Halloran, Environmental Science, Innovative Researcher Award