2020 Teaching Excellence Award

Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Opus College of Engineering.

She is also a 2020 recipient of the John P. Raynor, S.J. Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Gilat-Schmidt has built reputation as a model teacher and scholar. Her extensive research on things like CT imaging has made her a top biomedical engineering researcher. Her dedication to innovation in the classroom and unique, memorable instruction has enhanced the educational experience for her students, allowing them to truly think outside of the box. 

One colleague shared this about Gilat-Schmidt in their nomination letter, “Dr. Gilat-Schmidt embodies the many attributes and character of an outstanding educator who is deeply committed to student learning and success. She is personally invested in the future of our students.”

One of Gilat-Schmidt’s students says they value her unique ability to understand all of the different learning styles of her students, as well as her commitment to supporting students to achieve educational goals.  

“Every person has a learning style, and everyone has a learning pace – and in most classrooms, only a select few students have their learning needs met,” the student wrote. “This is due to how a student’s ability to learn matches the teacher’s teaching style. This is true for every single class I have ever taken except for Dr. Gilat-Schmidt’s class of Signals and Systems, which in turn supplied all the tools for every student to succeed.”

Being invested in her students comes naturally to Gilat-Schmidt simply because she loves what she teaches, which she describes as “beautiful math, science, and engineering concepts that describe our world and allow us to positively impact the world through new technologies.”  

But it’s the students who inspire Gilat-Schmidt the most.

“I am inspired by their contagious enthusiasm and energy. I enjoy watching them evolve throughout the semester as they integrate concepts and form connections,” Gilat-Schmidt said. “I enjoy meeting former students in their professional careers after graduation. It is great to be reminded that our work as faculty helps launch the students into meaningful careers.”