# Peter Baumann

> German computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q7172713](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7172713)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Baumann_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peter-baumann

## Summary
Peter Baumann is a German computer scientist known for his work in database systems and geographic information systems. He is a professor at Jacobs University Bremen and has made significant contributions to the field of array database systems, particularly through his development of rasdaman.

## Biography
- Born: 1960
- Nationality: German
- Education: Technical University of Munich; Technical University of Darmstadt
- Known for: Development of rasdaman array database system
- Employer(s): Jacobs University Bremen; Stowers Institute for Medical Research (2002-); Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2009-2018)
- Field(s): Computer science, database systems, geographic information systems

## Contributions
Peter Baumann is best known for creating rasdaman (raster data manager), an array database system that enables storage and retrieval of massive multi-dimensional arrays. This system has become a reference implementation for the Open Geospatial Consortium's (OGC) standards for coverage data, including Web Coverage Service (WCS) and Web Coverage Processing Service (WCPS). His work has been instrumental in advancing how scientific data, particularly Earth observation data, is managed and processed. Baumann has published extensively on array databases and their applications in scientific domains, contributing to both academic literature and practical implementations used by research institutions worldwide.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Peter Baumann known for?
A: Peter Baumann is known for developing rasdaman, an array database system that has become a standard for managing multi-dimensional scientific data, particularly in Earth observation and geographic information systems.

### Q: Where does Peter Baumann work?
A: Peter Baumann is a professor at Jacobs University Bremen and has been affiliated with the Stowers Institute for Medical Research since 2002 and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 2009 to 2018.

### Q: What is rasdaman?
A: Rasdaman is an array database system created by Peter Baumann that allows for the storage, retrieval, and processing of massive multi-dimensional arrays, and serves as a reference implementation for OGC coverage data standards.

## Why They Matter
Peter Baumann's work on rasdaman has fundamentally changed how scientific communities handle large-scale array data, particularly in Earth sciences. His contributions have enabled more efficient processing of satellite imagery, climate data, and other multidimensional datasets that are crucial for environmental monitoring and scientific research. By establishing open standards through OGC, Baumann has ensured that his innovations benefit the broader scientific community rather than remaining proprietary technology. His work bridges the gap between computer science theory and practical applications in scientific research, making complex data analysis more accessible to researchers across disciplines.

## Notable For
- Created rasdaman, the world's first array database management system
- Reference implementation for OGC coverage data standards (WCS, WCPS)
- Professor at Jacobs University Bremen with extensive academic publications
- Pioneer in applying database technology to scientific data management
- Long-standing research affiliations with major US research institutions

## Body
### Academic Background
Peter Baumann studied at both the Technical University of Munich and the Technical University of Darmstadt, establishing his foundation in computer science before pursuing his research career.

### Professional Career
Baumann has maintained a dual career path, working as a professor at Jacobs University Bremen while also conducting research at prestigious US institutions. His affiliation with the Stowers Institute for Medical Research began in 2002, and he served as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 2009 to 2018.

### Technical Contributions
The development of rasdaman represents Baumann's most significant technical contribution. This array database system was groundbreaking in its ability to handle multi-dimensional arrays efficiently, addressing a critical need in scientific computing where traditional relational databases struggled with complex, high-dimensional data structures.

### Standards and Open Source
Beyond creating rasdaman, Baumann has been instrumental in establishing open standards for array data processing through the Open Geospatial Consortium. His work ensures that the technology remains accessible and interoperable across different platforms and research institutions.

### Research Impact
Baumann's research has particularly influenced Earth observation communities, where his array database technology enables more sophisticated analysis of satellite imagery and other geospatial data. His publications and standards work continue to shape how scientific data is managed and processed globally.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4892-1485)
4. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0003-3860-4726/external-identifiers/917848)