# Paul Schrater

> American professor and cognitive scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q22315803](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22315803)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paul-schrater

## Summary
Paul Schrater is an American professor and cognitive scientist known for his interdisciplinary research at the intersection of human perception, motor control, and artificial intelligence. He serves as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, where he leads the Schrater Lab. His work focuses on understanding biological intelligence to advance computational models in computer vision and pattern recognition.

## Biography
- **Born:** Date not specified (Source data contains contradictory timestamp; career timeline implies birth decades prior to listed date)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:**
    - Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania (1992–1999)
    - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Neuroscience and Mathematics, California State University, Long Beach (1987–1992)
- **Known for:** Research integrating cognitive science, motor control, and machine learning.
- **Employer(s):** University of Minnesota (since 1999)
- **Field(s):** Cognitive science, artificial intelligence, computer vision, motor control, neuroscience, pattern recognition, virtual reality

## Contributions
Paul Schrater has contributed significantly to the academic fields of cognitive science and neuroscience through his teaching and research at the University of Minnesota. His work primarily bridges the gap between biological systems and computational modeling. By applying principles from neuroscience and psychology, he investigates how humans control motor movements and process visual information.

His research outputs include the development of algorithms and statistical models used in machine learning and pattern recognition. These contributions help advance the capabilities of artificial intelligence systems, particularly in the realm of computer vision. Additionally, his exploration of virtual reality contributes to understanding human perceptual interaction within simulated environments. Specific details regarding named papers or commercial products are not present in the provided source material, but his academic lineage traces back to David Knill at the University of Pennsylvania.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Paul Schrater's academic background?
A: Paul Schrater earned a B.A. in Neuroscience and Mathematics from California State University, Long Beach, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied under advisor David Knill.

### Q: Where does Paul Schrater work?
A: He is employed by the University of Minnesota, where he has served as a professor and researcher since 1999. He maintains a laboratory website at schraterlab.org.

### Q: What are the primary focus areas of his research?
A: His research spans several interconnected fields, including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, computer vision, motor control, neuroscience, pattern recognition, and virtual reality.

## Why They Matter
Paul Schrater matters to the scientific community for his interdisciplinary approach to understanding intelligence. By unifying the study of human motor control and perception with computational methods like machine learning and computer vision, he helps create a two-way street between biological understanding and technological advancement. His long-standing tenure at the University of Minnesota since 1999 indicates a sustained impact on the education of students and the development of academic research in these evolving fields. His work aids in the design of better artificial intelligence models by grounding them in biological reality, particularly in how systems recognize patterns and interact with dynamic environments.

## Notable For
- Serving as a university teacher and cognitive scientist at the University of Minnesota.
- Researching the intersection of **motor control** and **computer vision**.
- Advancing the field of **pattern recognition** as a branch of machine learning.
- Contributing to the development of **artificial intelligence models** inspired by biological processes.
- Completing doctoral studies in **neuroscience** at the University of Pennsylvania under David Knill.

## Body
### Academic Career
Paul R. Schrater is a male American professor and cognitive scientist. He has been affiliated with the University of Minnesota as an employer since 1999. His academic identity is verified through multiple scholarly channels, including a Google Scholar author ID (_IIpR0EAAAAJ) and a DBLP author ID (s/PaulRSchrater). He maintains a professional presence online via his laboratory website, schraterlab.org.

### Educational History
Schrater’s higher education began at California State University, Long Beach, where he pursued a double major in Neuroscience and Mathematics. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1992 after a five-year tenure starting in 1987.

Following his undergraduate studies, he entered the Neuroscience doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 1999. His dissertation work was supervised by David Knill.

### Research and Expertise
Schrater’s professional work is defined by a broad yet integrated set of fields:
*   **Cognitive Science & Neuroscience:** Understanding the biological basis of behavior and brain function.
*   **Motor Control:** Investigating how the biological systems manage and execute movement.
*   **Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition:** Developing algorithms for computers to interpret visual data.
*   **Artificial Intelligence:** Creating intelligent models, specifically utilizing artificial neural networks.
*   **Virtual Reality:** Applying simulation technologies to study perceptual interaction.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.med.upenn.edu/ngg/graduates.shtml)