Phillips was a 23rd century Human individual who served Starfleet's sciences division, specializing in the field of astrobiology. In 2268, Phillips was assigned to Federation starship USS Enterprise. He was one of the crewmen selected for a theoretical landing party to survey planet Alpha Carinae II. Phillips was selected by both the M-5 computer and Captain James T. Kirk for the team, based on prior experience surveying 29 biologically similar planets. (TOS episode: "The Ultimate Computer")