Rebecca Bernstein
About Rebecca Bernstein
Rebecca Bernstein serves as the Chief Scientist at the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization in Pasadena, CA, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics from Caltech and has extensive experience in optical design and scientific instrumentation.
Work at Giant Magellan Telescope
Rebecca Bernstein serves as Chief Scientist at the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization in Pasadena, CA. She has held this position since 2019, contributing to the development and scientific direction of the telescope. In addition to her role as Chief Scientist, she has been a Project Scientist since 2013, overseeing various projects related to the telescope's scientific capabilities. Her work involves collaboration with a team of scientists and engineers to ensure the successful implementation of advanced astronomical technologies.
Education and Expertise
Rebecca Bernstein earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Astronomy & Astrophysics from Caltech. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Princeton University. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in optical design and the development of scientific instruments. Bernstein is recognized for her contributions to the field of astrophysics, particularly in the design and construction of high-resolution spectrographs.
Background
Rebecca Bernstein has extensive experience in academia and research institutions. Prior to her current roles, she was an Associate/Full Professor in the Astrophysics Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 2007 to 2013. She also served as an Assistant/Associate Professor in the Astrophysics Department at the University of Michigan from 2001 to 2007. Her early career included a position as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science, where she held a NASA/STScI Hubble Fellowship from 1998 to 2001.
Achievements
Rebecca Bernstein is an accomplished optical designer and builder of scientific instruments. She has designed and built a high-resolution spectrograph for the Magellan telescope and led the design of a spectrograph for the Thirty Meter Telescope. In her role as Staff Astronomer at the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution, she has contributed to various scientific projects and initiatives, enhancing the capabilities of astronomical research.