About the Author
Dr. Shawn Carlson wrote "The Amateur Scientist" for Scientific American magazine from 1996 to 2001. In 1994 he founded the Society for Amateur Scientists; a non-profit organization dedicated to helping amateur scientists of all ages and experience levels get involved in exciting front-line research projects.
Dr. Carlson was selected as one of the recipients of the 1999 McArthur Prize. Also known as the "Genius Award", The McArthur Prize recognizes his outstanding contributions in promoting amateur science among other accomplishments.
Dr. Sheldon Greaves was a technical writer for a variety of Silicon Valley software companies, and is currently a research associate at the University of California, Berkeley. He has worked extensively in educational software design and development. He is also a contributing editor for Amateur Scientist Bulletin, the official newsletter of the Society for Amateur Scientists.