Bio

Robert P. Schumaker

Dr. Schumaker is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) and Director of the Data Analytics Lab within the Soules College of Business. He received his PhD in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona in 2007, an MBA degree in Management and International Business from the University of Akron in 2001, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1997.

He is also a former Associate Editor for Decision Support Systems, a member of the ACM Distinguished Speakers Program (April 2013 – April 2019), has authored a book on Sports Data Mining, several book chapters, multiple journal articles in DSS, ACM TOIS, CACM and JASIST as well as had his research featured in the Wall Street Journal and numerous other media outlets.

In October 2010, Dr. Schumaker’s Sports Data Mining book became available. The book builds upon the Moneyball philosophy that computers can uncover knowledge from sports data quicker and more effectively than human domain experts. The book examines many of the state of the art techniques of sports knowledge management and data mining.

Research Interests
Dr. Schumaker’s overall research interests involve using data science to solve very large and complex business problems. These interests further branch into data mining, machine learning, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, system building and textual analytics. In particular, he focuses on the areas of Textual/Financial prediction, Sports Analytics and Healthcare Informatics.

Teaching
Dr. Schumaker began teaching in Fall of 2000 and has proven to be a very effective teacher with an overall rating of 4.24 on a 5.0 scale (5.0 = Excellent, 4.0 = Above Average, 3.0 = Average, 2.0 = Below Average, 1.0 = Failing) that covers 157 classes to date. He has strong teaching interests in technical subjects such as Business Information Systems, Business Intelligence, Database, Data Mining, eCommerce, Internet Applications, Networking, Programming, Quantitative Investment, Sports Analytics, Telecommunications and Security. His teaching philosophy is to make the material relevant to real-world business problems and to teach it in an engaging yet enjoyable manner. Many of Rob’s former students specifically adjust their schedules to take additional classes from him.

In Spring 2009, Dr. Schumaker’s Internet Applications class was tasked with adapting a Roomba vacuum as a remote surveillance platform that could be controlled remotely through the Internet, providing video feedback and all for under $200. The project was highly successful and two of the students submitted their project to Make Magazine and made the front cover as well as feature article.

Experience
Dr. Schumaker has extensive knowledge of the retail hardware industry, working for 10+ years in a family-owned business. He also has vast experience in the IT field as Interim Director of Technology of the University of Akron’s College of Business and Director of the IS Dept Computer Lab at Iona College.