compared the results one year of weight lifting intervention could have on survivors at risk for breast cancer–related lymphedema. Her research was recognized by the National Lymphedema Network with the awarding of the Catalyst Award for "being a researcher whose work has stimulated thought, discussion, and debate that leads to improvement in patient care for those with lymphedema." In 2011, the National Cancer Institute granted the Perelman School of Medicine a $10 million grant to establish a new center focusing on the relationship between exercise, weight loss, and improving the length and quality of life. Schmitz was appointed the leader of one trial in the center which focused on examining the relationship between lymphedema and weight loss in overweight breast cancer survivors. She later transferred her Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Center grant to the Penn State Cancer Institute and became the associate director of population sciences. In 2017, Schmitz became the president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine and was nominated for UPenn's Innovator of the Year Award. In her role as associate director, Schmitz co-developed updated guidelines and exercise recommendations for people living with cancer or survivors of the disease. References External links Living people University of Minnesota alumni University of North Carolina alumni Queens College, City University of New York alumni University of Minnesota faculty Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania faculty American female dancers Year of birth missing (living people) American women academics 21st-century American women