{{Short description|German-American digital imaging engineer}} {{Undisclosed paid|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Ralph Bernstein | image = File:Ralph bernstein 2.jpg | caption = <!-- Caption for the image. --> | birth_name = Rölf Bernstein | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1933|2|20}} | birth_place = Zweibrücken, Germany | nationality = <!-- Nationality of the person. --> | alma_mater = University of Connecticut<br>Syracuse University | occupation = Engineer, scientist | years_active = | website = <!-- Personal website, if any. --> }}

'''Ralph Bernstein''' (born '''Rölf Bernstein,''' February 20, 1933) is a German–born American engineer known for his contributions to digital imaging, image processing, and geosciences. He is a member of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Bernstein |url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=216473e9604daac1f8d9ec732639b423d9b12739}}</ref>

== Early life and education == Ralph Bernstein was born in Zweibrücken, Germany, and immigrated to the United States during World War II.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Eliza Ridgeway-Town Crier Staff |date=2009-04-15 |title=A survivor's story: Resident reflects on family's escape from the Nazis |url=https://www.losaltosonline.com/news/a-survivors-story-resident-reflects-on-familys-escape-from-the-nazis/article_a995dc7e-7859-59a2-b3d4-6d22e1ee0649.html |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=Los Altos Town Crier |language=en}}</ref> He received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 1956, and completed his master's degree in electrical engineering at Syracuse University in 1960.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bowling |first=Elizabeth |date=2012-05-31 |title=UConn Alum Talks About Using NASA Technology On The Mona Lisa |url=http://ctnewsjunkie.com/2012/05/31/uconn_alum_talks_about_using_nasa_technology_on_the_mona_lisa/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=CT News Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=UConn alum talks about using NASA technology on the Mona Lisa |url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/UConn-alum-talks-about-using-NASA-technology-on-11440108.php |access-date=2024-02-08 |work=New Haven Register |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=E |first=Orlando |date=2018-11-16 |title=Bernstein, Ralph {{!}} College of Engineering |url=https://engineering.uconn.edu/person/bernstein-ralph/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=engineering.uconn.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Career == Bernstein held senior positions at IBM from 1957 to 1992, including roles at the IBM Palo Alto Scientific Center and the IBM Federal Systems Division.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} He served as Principal Investigator for NASA's Landsat Earth observation programs, contributing to the digital processing and correction of Landsat data.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} He also developed an oceanographic data collection and gravity control system for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=History of GRSS Publications |url=http://www.classic.grss-ieee.org/about/history/history-of-grss-publications/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=GRSS {{!}} IEEE {{!}} Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society |language=en-US}}</ref>

From 1992 to 2001, Bernstein worked at Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), specializing in lightning detection and underground utility mapping.<ref name=":3" /> His research in digital imaging and remote sensing led to advancements in medical imaging, art restoration, and environmental monitoring.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=All digital precision processing of ERTS images |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19750012717/downloads/19750012717.pdf}}</ref>

He helped establish the Geosciences Node of the Planetary Data System (PDS), facilitating in the storage and distribution of planetary data from space missions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report on orbital debris [microform] / by Interagency Group (Space) for National Security Council – Catalogue {{!}} National Library of Australia |url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4039536 |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=catalogue.nla.gov.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The suitability of various spacecraft for future space applications missions {{!}} WorldCat.org |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/36113079 |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=search.worldcat.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Lutz |first=Diana |date=2010-03-02 |title=$9 million research grant awarded to WUSTL Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory – The Source – Washington University in St. Louis |url=https://source.wustl.edu/2010/03/9-million-research-grant-awarded-to-wustl-earth-and-planetary-remote-sensing-laboratory/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=The Source |language=en-US}}</ref>

Bernstein was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS |url=https://ieeer8.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/R8_News_009.pdf}}</ref> He also served on committees for NASA and the National Research Council (NRC).<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":8" />

== Personal life == Ralph Bernstein and his wife, Leah, live in Los Altos, California.<ref name=":10" />

== Awards and recognition == Bernstein has received accolades such as the University of Connecticut Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, the IBM Outstanding Contribution Award (1974), and the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement (1974).<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19940029443/downloads/19940029443.pdf}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==Selected publications== * {{Cite book |last=Bernstein |first=Ralph |date=1980 |editor-last=Blaser |editor-first=A. |chapter=Data base requirements for remote sensing and image processing applications |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/3-540-09763-5_17 |title=Data Base Techniques for Pictorial Applications |series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science |volume=81 |language=en |location=Berlin, Heidelberg |publisher=Springer |pages=319–345 |doi=10.1007/3-540-09763-5_17 |isbn=978-3-540-38651-3}} * {{Cite journal |last1=Bernstein |first1=Ralph |last2=Stierhoff |first2=George C. |date=1976 |title=Precision Processing of Earth Image Data: Landsat images of the earth can be corrected by digital techniques to yield more precise information |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27847460 |journal=American Scientist |volume=64 |issue=5 |pages=500–508 |jstor=27847460 |issn=0003-0996}}

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == *[https://engineering.uconn.edu/engage/academy-profile/? Ralph Bernstein Academy Profile at UCONN] *[https://engineering.uconn.edu/group/1988/ UCONN | College of Engineering Alumni]

Category:1933 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century German engineers Category:American engineers Category:University of Connecticut alumni Category:Syracuse University alumni Category:IBM employees Category:NASA people Category:American scientists Category:American inventors Category:American technology writers Category:American editors