Tartu Observatory's scholarships were awarded to Anni Kasikov, Rando Avarmaa and Alice Fabbretto

On 4 November, recipients of Tartu Observatory scholarship, junior researchers Anni Kasikov, Rando Aarmaa and Alice Fabbretto, presented their research. The scholarship is awarded based on the student’s academic performance and participation in research.
 

Anni Kasikov received the Ernst Julius Öpik Scholarship

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Anni Kasikov began her doctoral studies at the University of Tartu in 2021. Her research focuses on rare and unstable yellow hypergiant stars, which she analyzes using Tartu Observatory’s 1.5-meter telescope and data from other observatories worldwide, especially the Nordic Optical Telescope. Anni has worked at the Nordic Optical Telescope in La Palma, participated in the European Southern Observatory’s observational school in Chile, and will soon be undertaking a year-long internship there. She has also been actively involved in science outreach, giving lectures at Tõravere, Tartu Old Observatory, astronomy festivals, and other public events. Anni’s supervisors are Associate Professors Indrek Kolka and Anna Aret from Tartu Observatory.

The Ernst Julius Öpik Scholarship was established in 1997 in honor of Öpik, an Estonian astronomer and one of the founders of the Estonian school of astronomy.
 

Rando Avarmaa received the Charles Villmann Scholarship

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Rando Avarmaa began his doctoral studies at the University of Tartu in 2023. His research topic is semantic mapping of terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments with autonomous rovers using machine learning and camera data processing. Rando´s work is closely tied to the Milrem Robotics collaboration project "Applied Research for Developing a Passive-Adaptive Autonomous Navigation System for Unmanned Ground Vehicles“ and focuses on developing mapping solutions for vehicle surroundings using passive sensors, combining computer vision and AI solutions, which have practical applications. These methods enable the use of mapping technologies in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments (e.g., on the Moon). Rando leads a large-scale industry collaboration project, showing outstanding ability as a project leader. His supervisor is Associate Professor Mihkel Pajusalu from Tartu Observatory.

The Charles Villmann Scholarship was established in 2012 in honor of Villmann, an Estonian astronomer and atmospheric physicist.
 

Alice Fabbretto received the Juhan Ross Scholarship

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Alice Fabbretto has been a junior researcher in the water remote sensing research group at Tartu Observatory since 2021. Her research focuses on using hyperspectral satellite and aerial data to assess water quality indicators and monitor aquatic ecosystems over time and space. Alice has shown initiative by organizing lectures for young students at the CNR Experimental Station "Eugenio Zilioli" on environmental and resource conservation. Her supervisors are Associate Professor Krista Alikas from Tartu Observatory and Claudio Giardino, and Mariano Bresciani from the Italian National Research Council (CNR IREA).

The Juhan Ross Scholarship was established in 2005 in honor of Ross, an Estonian atmospheric physicist and researcher of radiation distribution in vegetation.
 

The Tartu Observatory Scholarships are awarded once a year in autumn, with recipients selected by the Tartu Observatory Council.