David L. Mills attended the University of Michigan where he earned a BSE in Engineering Science, a BSE in Engineering Mathematics, an MSE in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Communication Sciences, and a PhD in Computer and Communications Science. From 1986 to 2008, he served as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware. After retiring in September 2008, Dr. Mills continued teaching as an Adjunct Professor and conducting occasional research projects funded by JPL.
Dr. Mills' research interests included computer internetworking systems, especially time synchronization technology. He was involved in developing internet technology since 1977. His research sponsors included the National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), US Navy, US Army and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.