# Phillip Gibbons

> American computer science professor

**Wikidata**: [Q29349110](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29349110)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Gibbons)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/phillip-gibbons

## Summary
Phillip Gibbons is an American computer scientist and professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the fields of parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks. A Fellow of both the ACM and IEEE, Gibbons was awarded the ACM-IEEE CS Paris Kanellakis Award in 2019.

## Biography
*   **Nationality:** American
*   **Education:**
    *   Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley (1989)
    *   Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mathematics, Dartmouth College (1983)
*   **Known for:** Contributions to parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks.
*   **Employer(s):** Carnegie Mellon University
*   **Field(s):** Computer Science
*   **Doctoral Advisor:** Richard M. Karp

## Contributions
Phillip Gibbons has established a distinguished career in computer science, focusing primarily on the advancement of parallel computing, database systems, and sensor networks. His academic journey began with a foundation in mathematics at Dartmouth College, followed by doctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, under the supervision of noted theoretical computer scientist Richard M. Karp.

While the provided source material lists his employer as Carnegie Mellon University, it highlights specific accolades that define his contributions. In 2007, he was named an ACM Fellow "for contributions to parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks." This recognition underscores his impact on how data is processed and managed across complex and distributed computing environments. His work has bridged the gap between theoretical computer science and practical application in large-scale data systems.

Gibbons' standing in the academic community was further cemented in 2014 when he was named an IEEE Fellow. Most notably, in 2019, he received the ACM-IEEE CS Paris Kanellakis Award, a prestigious honor recognizing specific theoretical or practical contributions that have demonstrated significant impact on the practice of computing. Throughout his career, he has also contributed to the growth of the field through mentorship, supervising doctoral students such as Kevin Hsieh and Nandita Vijaykumar.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Phillip Gibbons' primary area of research?
A: Phillip Gibbons is best known for his contributions to parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks, as cited by his ACM Fellowship award.

### Q: Where did Phillip Gibbons receive his education?
A: He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1983 and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1989.

### Q: What major awards has Phillip Gibbons received?
A: He is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In 2019, he received the Paris Kanellakis Award.

### Q: Who was Phillip Gibbons' doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was Richard M. Karp, a prominent American theoretical computer scientist and mathematician.

## Why They Matter
Phillip Gibbons represents a critical link in the advancement of data-intensive computing. His recognition as a Fellow by the two largest professional computing organizations (ACM and IEEE) signifies that his work has had a broad and lasting impact on the industry and academia. The specific citation for his ACM Fellowship—highlighting parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks—points to technologies that are fundamental to modern cloud computing, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Furthermore, his receipt of the Paris Kanellakis Award in 2019 highlights that his contributions are not merely academic exercises but have resulted in tangible practical advancements in the field. By working at the intersection of hardware (sensor networks) and software (databases/parallel computing), Gibbons has helped shape the infrastructure that allows for the efficient processing of vast amounts of information. His academic lineage, tracing back to advisor Richard M. Karp, and his role in mentoring the next generation of computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, further solidify his importance in the ongoing development of the discipline.

## Notable For
*   **ACM Fellow (2006/2007):** Recognized for contributions to parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks.
*   **IEEE Fellow (2014):** Elevated to the grade of Fellow for contributions to the field.
*   **Paris Kanellakis Award (2019):** Awarded for practical contributions to computing.
*   **Academic Lineage:** Doctoral student of Richard M. Karp.
*   **Professional Identity:** Known by aliases Phillip Baldwin Gibbons, Phillip B. Gibbons, and Phil Gibbons.

## Body

### Education and Academic Background
Phillip Gibbons pursued his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. He subsequently attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science in 1989. His doctoral studies were guided by Richard M. Karp, a celebrated figure in theoretical computer science.

### Professional Affiliations and Awards
Gibbons is currently associated with Carnegie Mellon University. His career is distinguished by several high-profile honors:
*   **ACM Fellow:** He was named a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery in 2007 (recognized for the year 2006). The organization cited his work in "parallel computing, databases, and sensor networks."
*   **IEEE Fellow:** He received the Fellow designation from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2014.
*   **Paris Kanellakis Award:** In 2019, he was honored with this award, which acknowledges specific theoretical or practical contributions that are noteworthy for their impact on the practice of computing.

### Mentorship and Collaboration
Gibbons has played a role in the development of future computer scientists. According to academic records, he has served as the doctoral advisor for students including Kevin Hsieh and Nandita Vijaykumar. He maintains an active presence in the scientific community with author profiles in major databases such as DBLP, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. [Source](https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~gibbons/Phillip%20B.%20Gibbons_files/gibbons-cv.pdf)
3. [Source](http://www.ieee.org/2014Fellowclass)
4. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award-recipients/gibbons_2965317)
5. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2007/january/acm-names-41-fellows-for-contributions-to-computing-and-it)
6. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/press-releases/2020/may/technical-awards-2019.pdf)