Janet A. Mattei was the third Director of the AAVSO (1974-2004). She was instrumental in guiding the organization from its early computer days through the creation of the Internet and the World Wide Web. She was extremely active in research using the AAVSO International Database and in other variable-star projects with scientists around the world. Janet had a passion for bringing professionals and amateurs, including young amateurs, together in astronomy.

Upon her death in 2004, the organization created the Janet A. Mattei Memorial Research Fellowship Fund to continue her work of professional-amateur collaboration. The interest from this fund is designated to paying salary and support of an active researcher who wishes to use our Database, programs, library or other resources at HQ. Young PhDs are given preference, but we encourage applications by any researcher who has a specific project that is of interest to the AAVSO. The visitor will work with the variable star observations in the AAVSO International Database, with the goal of turning these observations into scientific results disseminated among both the professional and amateur communities through professional journals and informal outlets.

The funding is negotiable, but is normally for basic needs such as lodging and per diem while using the HQ facilities. We usually prefer the researcher be present at HQ for a month or two during the summer.

To apply for a Janet Mattei Research Fellowship, send a cover letter, a description of your proposed project, your curriculum vitae, and the names and email addresses/phone numbers of 3 people whom we can contact for reference, no later than March 31 to:

Director, AAVSO
25 Birch Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Previous recipients of the Fellowship:

2005 — Grant Foster (Island Data Corporation, Maine). Grant was a previous employee of the AAVSO, writing many of our analysis programs such as TS and WWZ, along with developing the CLEANEST algorithm for time-series analysis. While on his fellowship, Grant worked with Matt Templeton on data analysis of ASAS 0025; with Aaron Price on BZ UMa, SS Cyg and VarHer04; and with Arne Henden on secular evolution of Cepheid variables using the International Database. Grant will be presenting his work at the Fall 2005 AAVSO meeting and is submitting the Cepheid paper to the Astronomical Journal.