Omar Ahmad, deputy director of the Driving Safety Research Institute, will be awarded the prestigious 2025 Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award at a Staff Council awards ceremony in May 2025. 

His nomination letter recognized him for his exceptional leadership, dedication, and contributions to the University of Iowa, the state, and the broader research community. Nationally, he is an active leader within the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board, where he chairs one of the premier committees focused on driver performance and vehicle safety. Internationally, Omar is sought after by universities and government agencies to lead discussions on simulation technology and its applications.

Closer to home, Omar is an extraordinary problem solver with unmatched initiative and foresight. Beyond his technical acumen, Omar’s curiosity and drive to improve processes are inspiring, as he continually seeks innovative solutions and efficiencies.

Omar’s leadership was instrumental in the success of a groundbreaking $7 million project on rural automated driving. This highly competitive and world-first research effort involved deploying a specially designed transit van on unmarked rural roads and gravel surfaces in Iowa. Over three years, Omar skillfully managed a multidisciplinary team and coordinated with contractors to ensure the project’s success — an accomplishment has brought significant recognition to the University of Iowa and DSRI.

About the award

The Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award provides a statewide forum to recognize staff members in conjunction with colleagues from the other Board of Regents institutions in Iowa. Awardees' accomplishments have significantly benefited the university, brought honor or recognition to the university, and had a significant positive impact on the state of Iowa. It is administered by the UI Staff Council: see past winners.