Rose Schmitt, research coordination specialist at the Driving Safety Research Institute, has been chosen for the College of Engineering’s 2025 Mary Sheedy Staff Excellence Award. This award is given annually to a staff member who demonstrates outstanding service, fosters a positive work culture, and shows dedication to the college and its mission.
Daniel McGehee, director of DSRI, praised Schmitt for her “exceptional attention to detail, steadfastness, and remarkable poise. She has elevated our research enterprise, strengthened our reputation with sponsors, and fostered a supportive and professional environment for all who work with her.”
Since joining DSRI in 2012, Schmitt has played a pivotal role in advancing the university’s nationally recognized research on impaired driving. Her work spans complex human subjects studies involving alcohol, cannabis, and prescription medications. She manages every logistical and compliance detail—from IRB applications and regulatory approvals to biological sample handling and staff training—with precision and professionalism.
Her leadership extends beyond technical expertise. She directs DSRI’s research logistics group, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants, and temporary staff members. Her colleagues describe her as a source of stability and encouragement, someone who fosters a respectful and inclusive environment for both participants and team members. One study participant shared, “She is wonderful, personable, compassionate, and makes you feel comfortable… She treats everyone with kindness and respect.”
Her contributions have elevated DSRI’s reputation with federal sponsors such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and major automotive industry partners. She is also a key contributor to scholarly publications, technical reports, and national conference presentations, helping translate research into policy and practice.
“She combines technical excellence with compassion, professionalism with mentorship, and steadfast dedication with creativity,” added Tim Brown, director of drugged driving research at DSRI.