Panel Summary: Intellectual Merit: The proposal looks to using the VVS time domain survey of young stellar clusters to look for eclipsing and spectroscopic pre-main sequence binaries. The PI hopes to use the parameters derived from these binaries as inputs to pre-main sequence evolutionary models. He will use these data in conjunction with the Spitzer archival data to obtain a relationship between the stellar rotation, circumstellar disks and mass accretion in young stars. The panel identified several issues that need to be addressed. How many star clusters are needed as a good statistical sample? Will this be achievable in the 3 year lifetime of the fellowship? While the database is a good precursor study to other larger time domain studies, the project could have been more innovative and could use a new perspective such as using more modern data or data mining methods. Also, the interface to theoretical models needs to be strengthened. For example, widely accepted models such as the Ostriker and Shu model for winds and outflows typically use a single star system. Using binary systems would change the model dynamics. Broad Impact: The education plan was specific and well thought out. The development of resources to recruit minorities was well defined and the PI seems to have a commitment to the cause. The panel also liked the plan for a data analysis course that will be taught within an existing summer course framework. REVIEW #1: What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? The proposal is to analyse light and velocity curves of low mass binaries, which feed several astrophysical problems of interest. Eclipsing binaries provide dynamical masses, which are critical for assessing and constraining PMS models. It is argued that even non-clipsing binaries are useful in this context. The data will also be used to investigate the evolution of angiular momemntum and accretion. What is not clear from the proposal is the SCALE of the project: how many stars/clusters are needed to span the parameter space over which PMS models are to be contrained? How much will be achieved at the end of 3 years? What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? The proposal is very strong on education of undergraduates -- with special stress on reaching out to minorities with the goal of rectifying the demographic imbalance. Particularly notable is the proposed used of the research data (by way of the VVS data base) in the Fisk Summer Research Program, which will engage the participants in both obtaining and analysing time-domain data. The VVS data base itself will have lasting value. While astronomy is stepping into an era where future projects like PanSTARRS and LSST will generate a lot of time-domain data -- the development of skills and education of future scientists to tap these resources is very important. This proposal is a very worthwhile step in that direction Summary Statement This is an observation intensive project that will address important and very basic problems in the field, and will also leave a data legacy for future use. The measurement of stellar masses is clearly important. The case for education outreach is particularly well developed. REVIEW 2: What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? Management of large databases of time series data will become increasingly common and important. The lessons learned in this work will have broader application in making such data more accessible. The time series photometric and spectroscopic observations described here should improve our understanding of star formation. This work aims to: 1) Calibrate models of PMS evolution by the identification and analysis of young binary systems and 2) study angular momentum loss by correlating rotation periods, mass accretion rates and disk emission in very young stars. Although such research efforts have been carried out in the past, there is a greater hope of success by virtue of the extensive data that should emerge from the VVS database and the use of archival Spitzer data. What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? The PI outlines a plan to reach minorities and to provide them with opportunities to join in an intensive 3-week program and to assemble a listing of educational enrichment opportunities. The interest in educational outreach seems genuine, as evidenced by the active participation of the PI on development of programs for underrepresented minorities and by participation in Project ASTRO. Summary Statement Research to understand star formation and evolution of angular momentum loss has been ongoing for decades. However this research seemed to stall in the 1980's and has diminished over the past decade as new research efforts such as extrasolar planet searches have come into vogue. At the same time, a number of new space missions have been returning fundamental observations of stars that should make it possible to revisit the classic studies of stellar astrophysics with fresh new data. The proposed work could be quite timely and make new strides in an old field. The PI has an impressive list of publications that demonstrate expertise in the area of the proposed research. Vanderbilt University seems like a reasonable institution to carry out this work, with access to SMARTS consortium telescopes, and a good match to the research interests of Dr. Stassun.