# Neil Spring

> Ph.D. University of Washington 2004

**Wikidata**: [Q102243272](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102243272)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/neil-spring

## Summary
Neil Spring is an American computer scientist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2004. He is known for his research in network topology and routing policy discovery in the Internet. Spring has served as a professor at the University of Maryland and has mentored numerous doctoral students in computer science.

## Biography
- Born: Not specified
- Nationality: American
- Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Washington, 2004
- Known for: Research in network topology and routing policy discovery
- Employer(s): University of Maryland (professor)
- Field(s): Computer science, networking

## Contributions
Neil Spring's doctoral research focused on efficient discovery of network topology and routing policy in the Internet, which has become foundational for network measurement and analysis. His work has enabled more accurate mapping of Internet infrastructure and understanding of routing behaviors. As a professor at the University of Maryland, Spring has supervised multiple Ph.D. students including Cristian Lumezanu, Robert Sherwood, David Levin, and Aaron Schulman, who have gone on to contribute to the field of computer networking. His research has been published in academic venues and cited extensively in networking literature.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Neil Spring's most significant research contribution?
A: Neil Spring's doctoral thesis on efficient discovery of network topology and routing policy in the Internet has been influential in the field of network measurement and analysis.

### Q: Where did Neil Spring complete his Ph.D.?
A: Neil Spring completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Washington in 2004.

### Q: Who were Neil Spring's doctoral advisors?
A: Neil Spring's doctoral advisors were David Wetherall and Thomas E. Anderson at the University of Washington.

## Why They Matter
Neil Spring's research on network topology discovery has provided critical tools for understanding the structure and behavior of the Internet. His work has enabled researchers and network operators to better map and analyze routing policies, which is essential for network security, performance optimization, and infrastructure planning. As an academic mentor, Spring has helped train the next generation of computer scientists who continue to advance networking research. His contributions have had lasting impact on both theoretical understanding and practical applications in network science.

## Notable For
- Ph.D. from University of Washington in 2004 with focus on network topology discovery
- Professor at University of Maryland mentoring multiple successful Ph.D. students
- Research on Internet routing policy and network measurement
- Supervised doctoral students including Cristian Lumezanu, Robert Sherwood, David Levin, and Aaron Schulman
- Published research cited in networking literature and academic databases

## Body
### Academic Background
Neil Spring earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Washington in 2004. His doctoral thesis, titled "Efficient Discovery of Network Topology and Routing Policy in the Internet," established him as a researcher in network measurement and analysis.

### Professional Career
Spring has served as a professor at the University of Maryland, where he has maintained an active research program in computer networking. His academic position has allowed him to both conduct research and mentor graduate students.

### Research Focus
Spring's research has centered on understanding Internet infrastructure through network topology discovery and routing policy analysis. His work addresses fundamental questions about how the Internet is structured and how routing decisions are made across the global network.

### Mentorship
As an academic advisor, Spring has supervised multiple Ph.D. students who have completed their dissertations under his guidance. His doctoral students include Cristian Lumezanu (2009), Robert Sherwood (2008), David Levin (2010), and Aaron Schulman (2013), all of whom have pursued careers in computer science and networking.

### Academic Impact
Spring's research has been recognized in academic databases including IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, ACM Digital Library, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project. His work continues to be referenced in networking research and has contributed to the broader understanding of Internet architecture.

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## References

1. WorldCat
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://www.cs.umd.edu/~nspring/)