Assistant Research Scientist, Behavioral Sciences

Location

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, R. 121, 2901 Baxter Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Education

• PhD, Monash University Accident Research Centre, 2021
• MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 2013
• BA, Psychology, University of Michigan, 2004

Research Interests

Dr. St. Louis has managed a variety of research projects aimed at enhancing safe mobility throughout the lifespan, with numerous projects addressing transportation issues related to the aging driver population. She has extensive experience in the development and implementation of protocol for conducting both laboratory and field data collection research with participants of varying ages and levels of physical and cognitive ability. These studies have involved obtaining and analyzing various forms of qualitative and quantitative data, including surveys, focus groups, structured interviews, and simulator and naturalistic driving data. She is coauthor of several publications addressing safe mobility for vulnerable road users, including a book on older adult mobility titled Perspectives and Strategies for Promoting Safe Transportation Among Older Adults. In addition to her role at UMTRI, Dr. St. Louis is also a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor and volunteers with Safe Kids Huron Valley to provide car seat education within the community. Her research interests include program and policy evaluation, driver and passenger safety and mobility throughout the lifespan, psychosocial factors that influence driving behavior, and occupant protection issues.

Service

• Vehicle User Education, Training, and Licensing Committee Early Career Group, Transportation Research Board, 2020 – present
• Transportation and Aging Interest Group, Gerontological Society of America, 2019 – present
• Scientific Advisory Group for Safe Drivers Smart Options, Michigan Department of State, 2019 – present
• Staff Development Committee, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2016 – 2018
• Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician volunteer, Safe Kids Huron Valley and Mott Children’s Hospital Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Program, 2012 – present 

Awards

• 2020 Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Book Award: “Perspectives and Strategies for Promoting Safe Transportation Among Older Adults.” The Gerontological Society of America
• 2019  Best Student Paper: “The relationship between resilience and real world driving patterns of older adults in the Ozcandrive study.” 8th International Symposium on Naturalistic Driving Research: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• 2018  Best Paper by a New Researcher: “Bouncing back and maintaining mobility: the relationship between resilience and driving in the Ozcandrive study.” Australasian Road Safety Conference: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 

Additional Information

Website: https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/renee-m-stlouis/home

ORCID: 0000-0002-4751-2420