Hello!
My name is Dr. Ryan Cloutier and I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics &
Astronomy at McMaster University and a Canada Research Chair in Exoplanetary Astronomy (Tier 2).
I am an observational astronomer who specializes in the detection and characterization of extrasolar planetary systems around distant stars, with a focus on low-mass M dwarf stars, the most common stars in our galaxy. M dwarfs host abundant populations of small planets, yet many open questions remain regarding their formation pathways, compositions, and evolutionary processes. My research program addresses these questions through a combination of population-level studies of exoplanets—from massive gas giants to small terrestrial planets—alongside detailed measurements of individual planets’ masses, atmospheres, and interiors, and efforts to characterize their host stars’ compositions and magnetic properties, all using observations from major space- and ground-based observatories. This complement of approaches allows me to connect the observable properties of planets to the astrophysical processes that produce and sculpt the diversity of planets throughout our galaxy.