Swetland Center Welcomes Graduate Research Assistant | Ryelie Barnes

Headshot of Ryelie

We are excited to welcome Ryelie Barnes to our team! She is joining us as a Graduate Research Assistant with our CTSC projects and you can learn more about her in the interview below.

  • What projects will you be working on, and what is your role?
    I will be assisting with the Community Engagement (CE) Studios designed to integrate community and stakeholder feedback into research to promote health in Northern Ohio. As a Graduate Research Assistant, I will help to plan and implement CE Studios and conduct analysis of community feedback on research projects to allow investigators the opportunity to implement this feedback into their work.

 

  • Where are you from?
    Ashtabula, Ohio

 

  • What is your background?
    I earned a BS in Medical Anthropology from The Ohio State University in 2024 and am currently a Public Health and Social Work Dual Master’s student here at Case Western. I am interested in studying the connection between health, the community, and environment and conducting work that is consistent with the needs of the individual. In my spare time, I love to read, hike, cook, and go to concerts!

 

  • What excites you about joining the Swetland Center?
    The opportunity to connect with the Cleveland community in such an influential way.

 

  • What is your favorite outdoor space in Cleveland or a place you want to explore?
    I’m working on exploring all of the Metroparks in the next year!

 

  • What is a piece of advice you have been given or a quote/statement that is significant to you?
    Intentionality is the first step in achieving your personal version of success.