Keavin Moore

Keavin Moore is a Ph.D. student with Nicolas Cowan in the Earth & Planetary Sciences department at McGill University, and is also affiliated with the Trottier Space Institute. He began his studies at McGill in 2018. Keavin’s research involves the search for life around exoplanets; specifically, Keavin uses computer models to predict the amount of surface water on Earth-like planets orbiting red dwarf stars throughout the planetary system lifetime, using the presence of liquid surface water as a proxy for planetary habitability. These computer models account for stellar evolution, along with water exchange between planetary atmosphere, surface, and interior, and atmospheric loss to space.

In 2022, Keavin completed a CRAQ-supported internship at the Freie Universität Berlin, working with Lena Noack on planetary interiors to expand and improve his predictive computer model.

Previously, Keavin completed his B.Sc. in Space Science in 2015 and his M.Sc. in Physics & Astronomy in 2017, working with Ray Jayawardhana at York University. His M.Sc. project focused on the dynamical evolution of exoplanets orbiting binary star systems, also known as “Tatooine planets”. Throughout his scientific career, Keavin has been involved in a variety of scientific publications and conference proceedings, presenting his research to both general and academic audiences.

Keavin is passionate about the potential for life elsewhere in the Universe, an interest developed at a young age when he was first introduced to science fiction and the possibility of planets outside of our Solar System. Through his research, Keavin hopes to further expand his computer models and provide a strong basis for statistical evidence of habitable worlds in the future. He hopes to continue his research through Canadian and international collaborations upon completion of his Ph.D. studies.

Supervisor

Nicolas Cowan