Hans Roehrig, PhD, former professor emeritus of radiology and optical sciences, passed away on July 2, 2022 at the age of 85.
In 1972, Roehrig joined the University of Arizona as a research associate professor in the Department of Radiology, now the Department of Medical Imaging in the College of Medicine – Tucson, and the Optical Sciences Center, now the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Demonstrating a passion for image quality and medical imaging display research, Roehrig was promoted to professor in 1990 and continued to be a vital part of the department's research efforts until his retirement in 2012.
Dr. Roehrig was a pioneer and perhaps the world expert in the assessment of electronic computer displays for medical imaging. As radiology transitioned from film to digital, he was the go-to person for industry and academic collaborators to give his “stamp-of-approval” on a given display.
Dr. Roehrig’s expertise amassed from a variety of career experiences. While at Farbenfabriken Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany, he worked with cameras to image synthetic fibers generated for various applications of clothing. The discovery of defects was critical, as it became apparent that irregularities affected the strength of the materials. Also studied was how well the material could preserve color once dyed, and which colors were best used for dying.
While at the US-Army Night Vision Lab, Dr. Roehrig was exposed to the sensitivity of the human eye, particularly in the environment of the battlefield. Image intensification, particularly working with the x-ray image intensifier, drew Dr. Roehrig close to the medical field. Ultimately, measurement of image quality as well as of color on medical imaging displays became Dr. Roehrig’s main research interest.
Dr. Roehrig published numerous book chapters, scientific articles and presented nearly 100 invited papers and scientific exhibits. His research works have garnered nearly 1,100 citations. Dr. Roehrig was actively involved in the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE), serving as conference chair for 16 years as well as journal editor and instructor. He was also very well-known at the American Association for Physicists in Medicine and the Radiological Society of North America. He generously shared his passion for display precision and served as a mentor for many students and junior faculty during his University of Arizona career.
Display research: Measurements of MTF, Spatial Noise, Contrast, and Display Precision