David Eppstein: A Career in Computer Science and Computational Geometry
David Eppstein is a distinguished figure in the field of computer science, known for his academic contributions and leadership in computational theory. With a career spanning several decades, he has balanced rigorous research with a commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists at the University of California, Irvine.
Academic Foundation and Early Career
Eppstein's journey in higher education began at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in mathematics in 1984. He subsequently transitioned into computer science, pursuing advanced degrees at Columbia University. He obtained his Master of Science (M.S.) in 1985 and completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 1989 under the guidance of advisor Zvi Galil.
Following his doctoral studies, Eppstein expanded his research experience through a postdoctoral position at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, a renowned hub for technological innovation.
Faculty Leadership and Mentorship
In 1990, Eppstein joined the faculty at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine). His leadership within the institution grew over time, leading to his role as the co-chair of the Computer Science Department from 2002 to 2005. In recognition of his academic excellence and contributions, he was named a Chancellor's Professor in 2014.
Beyond his administrative roles, Eppstein has been a dedicated mentor. He has supervised thirteen Ph.D. students, all of whom completed their degrees at UC Irvine.
Professional Honors and Service
Eppstein's influence in the scientific community is reflected in several prestigious appointments. He was named an ACM Fellow (Association for Computing Machinery) in 2011. Furthermore, in October 2017, he was elected as one of 396 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
He has also played a pivotal role in organizing major academic conferences, serving as the program chair for the theory track of the ACM Symposium on Computational Geometry in 2001, the program chair of the ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms in 2002, and the co-chair for the International Symposium on Graph Drawing in 2009.
Key Facts
- Education: B.S. from Stanford (1984), M.S. and Ph.D. from Columbia University (1985, 1989).
- Academic Rank: Chancellor's Professor at UC Irvine.
- Mentorship: Supervised 13 Ph.D. students at UC Irvine.
- Major Honors: ACM Fellow (2011) and AAAS Fellow (2017).
- Leadership: Co-chair of UC Irvine's Computer Science Department (2002–2005).
Career Summary Table
| Year | Achievement/Role | Institution/Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | B.S. in Mathematics | Stanford University |
| 1989 | Ph.D. in Computer Science | Columbia University |
| 1990 | Joined Faculty | UC Irvine |
| 2002-2005 | Co-chair, Computer Science Dept | UC Irvine |
| 2011 | ACM Fellow | Association for Computing Machinery |
| 2014 | Chancellor's Professor | UC Irvine |
| 2017 | Fellow | AAAS |
Personal Interests and Community Contribution
Outside of his professional research and teaching, Eppstein is an amateur digital photographer. He is also an active contributor to Wikipedia, where he serves as an editor and works to encourage more subject-matter experts to contribute to the open-knowledge project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did David Eppstein earn his Ph.D.?
David Eppstein earned his Ph.D. in computer science from Columbia University in 1989, where he was advised by Zvi Galil.
What leadership roles has he held at UC Irvine?
He served as the co-chair of the Computer Science Department from 2002 to 2005 and was appointed as a Chancellor's Professor in 2014.
Which professional societies have recognized him as a Fellow?
He is a Fellow of both the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), named in 2011, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), elected in 2017.
How many doctoral students has he supervised?
David Eppstein has supervised thirteen Ph.D. students, all of whom were based at the University of California, Irvine.
What are his interests outside of academia?
He is an amateur digital photographer and a Wikipedia editor who advocates for bringing more experts to the platform.