I'm an ecologist interested in the behaviour, population dynamics, conservation, and evolution of migratory animals. I obtained a MSc from York University in 2000, a PhD from Queen’s University in 2004 and was an NSERC-Killam Memorial Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of British Columbia from 2004-2006. I was appointed a faculty position at the University of Guelph in 2006. 

My recent work has focused on several theoretical and empirical problems related to migratory ecology & evolution and with developing optimal conservation plans for migratory animals.  In the field, I am currently conducting studies on the ecology & behaviour of Savannah sparrows on Kent Island, Bay of Fundy, NS, Gray Jays in Algonquin Park, ON, and Tree swallows at Long Point Provincial Park, ON. See the Norris lab research page for details on these topics and more including work on monarchs, drosophila, and seabirds.

I will be on sabbatical for the 2012-2013 Academic year but I typically teach Animal Behaviour (ZOO*4070, fall term) and Lab Studies in Ornithology (ZOO*4920, fall term).

Guelph Appointments

University Research Chair, 2012-present

Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, 2011-present

Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, 2006-2010

Current Appointments outside Guelph

Co-Editor-In-Chief, Avian Conservation & Ecology

Associate Editor: Journal of Animal Ecology (see profile here)

Associate Editor: Ibis

Scientific Advisory Committee, Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory

Awards

Accelerator Award, NSERC, 2011-2013

Bob Boutilier New Investigator Award, Can. Society Zoologists, 2011

Early Researcher Award, ON Ministry of Research & Innovation, 2008

AOU Young Investigator Award, American Ornithologists Union, 2006

Media examples (see ‘publications’ for more)

Listen to Ryan interviewed on the CBC national science radio show

Quirks & Quarks about:

1. Northern wheatear migration (click here)

2. Monarch migration (click here)

3. Marbled murrelet diet reconstruction (click here)

Major Grants

Leading Edge Fund, CFI & MRI (2013)

Discovery Grant, NSERC (2011-2015)

Leaders Opportunity Fund, CFI & MRI (2009)

Strategic Grant, NSERC (2008)

RTI Grants, NSERC (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013)

Discovery Grant, NSERC (2006-2011)

Google Scholar profile