My evening talk was titled: "Explosive Life – How Microbes Changed The Earth (And Will Continue To Do So)"

The Earth has been shaped by biology, especially microorganisms, for billions of years. In this talk, we will travel through time and across the Earth, to highlight how the ‘unseen majority’ are the ultimate recyclers and team players. We will also see that, not only can we thank them for much of modern society, but how they can help us achieve a sustainable society for future generations.

This took place online on Friday 7th Nov 2021 at 19:00

sligosciencefestival.ie/explosive-life-how-microbes-change-the-earth-and-will-continue-to-do-so-online-talk-with-dr-shane-oreilly/

How do scientists study the complex chemistry and biodiversity of our environment? How do they relate that to what life and conditions were like in Earth’s ancient past? We will walk through the steps involved in tackling these questions, from working in the field, to using chemistry and advanced laboratory equipment to understand these precious samples. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty!

This interaction exhibition was held at Sligo Science Fair from 11-17:00 on Sunday 7th November 2021.

sligosciencefestival.ie/geology-at-it-sligo/

Molecular fossils are organic molecules derived from organisms that can be preserved for thousands to hundreds of millions of years in sediments and rocks. Compared to DNA or protein, fats (lipids) have the best chance of being preserved. Lipids also preserve information about the organism that produced them and the environment in which they were produced. In this talk, we will hunt for molecular fossils in the geologic record and reconstruct what life and environments may have looked like at important intervals in Earth's past.

This talk was given as part of the The Forum Network of GBH, a Boston Public radio service (a member station of National Public Radio, NPR). GBH records lectures from the "world's foremost scholars, authors, artists, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders. We make them available online for free, encouraging deeper public understanding and civic engagement around the vital issues of our time."

This talk was given in Boston in 2016.