Sternberg was a 24th century Human woman, a Starfleet admiral in the 2360s decade.
Biography
In the year 2367, she was commanding officer of Starbase 718. In that year, she and her crew investigated the holographic technology left on planet Alpha Onias III by the mother of Barash, a young alien discovered there alone. They were unable, however, to determine Barash's planet of origin. (TNG novel: Losing the Peace)