We are Case

Case Alumni Association
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SCIENCE

We Are Case is a podcast series featuring conversations with innovators at the Case School of Engineering and the math and sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Tune in to meet people who are making discoveries and advancing science in the labs and institutes of Case Quad. We’ll also introduce you to alumni who have taken their Case experiences out into the world to innovate, launch companies and change lives. Hosted by long-time Cleveland journalist Robert L. Smith and produced by Abbie Murphy, We Are Case shows the impact of a world-class research university. It is sponsored by the Case Alumni Association, the nation’s oldest independent alumni association of science and engineer graduates, and is the successor to our original podcast, Think[box] Radio. Where Think[box] Radio shared stories from CWRU’s world-class maker space, We Are Case is inspired by the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, a $300 million research flagship scheduled to open in 2026. We’re not waiting for the ribbon cutting and neither should you. Subscribe on your favorite platforms so you don’t miss an episode!

  1. 2025-09-30

    We Are Case: Season 1 EP 3: Power to count on

    You’ve probably thought about a backup power supply for your home or business, maybe the last time a storm knocked out the electricity for four hours or four days. Dory Power, a startup launched from the Case School of Engineering, is offering a different kind of home generator: A quiet, powerful, solar-friendly battery. Professor Chris Yuan, a battery specialist in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, founded the company to develop and market his alternative to gasoline-powered generators. Dory offers a clean, portable, electric generator based on lithium-ion technologies. Not much bigger than a carry-on suitcase (wheels included), it can supply critical power for days and, if needed, recharge in the sunlight. To pursue his super battery, Yuan tapped megawatts of Case talent. That includes Emeritus Professor Ken Loparo, PhD ’77, who serves as chief scientist at the company headquarters inside a former manufacturing plant in Euclid. A specialist in power systems and grids as a professor, Loparo is now focused on a battery startup that shows the potential of portable power. To learn more and watch a video of this episode visit: casealumni.org/uncategorized/we-are-case-season-1-ep-3-power-to-count-on

    25 min
  2. We are Case: Season 1 EP 2: Meet our new maker

    2025-04-29

    We are Case: Season 1 EP 2: Meet our new maker

    Think you know about think[box]? Think again. Claire Dorsett, the dynamic new leader of Sears think[box], brings a background in museum design and hands-on exhibits to the largest open-access maker space on an American college campus. She’s adding new positions and programs to the acclaimed innovation center, including “tinkering opportunities” designed to make it more approachable to novice makers, including alumni. The recent “thinkbox Derby” was just the first of creative events to come. Whether you’re a veteran thinkboxer or never stepped inside the Richey-Mixon Building, you’ll know a whole lot more about the possibilities after this podcast. Please note that Sears think[box] will be closed from May 9th - June 1st to attend to maintenance. There will also be special summer hours at think[box]: Monday-Friday 12pm-7pm and CLOSED on weekends. You can find hours and information here: case.edu/thinkbox

    28 min
  3. We are Case: Season 1 EP 1: Case's master builder

    2025-03-17

    We are Case: Season 1 EP 1: Case's master builder

    A $300 million research flagship is rising on Case Quad and Nick Christie is the man with the plan. As Assistant Vice President for Construction, Campus Planning & Facilities Management at CWRU, he oversees construction projects on campus. That includes the biggest building project in the history of Case Quad-- the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building. Hundreds of workers from nearly a dozen trades are at work on the massive project, which is highlighted by a 170-foot tower crane looming over the Quad. From crane operators to ironworkers to plumbers, Nick is aware of every contracting team and its contribution to the big picture. In this debut podcast, he explains some of the engineering and construction strategies at work, as well as innovations that are speeding progress and helping to achieve environmental goals. After hearing from Nick, you’ll have a much better idea of how a complex, 180,000 square-foot research building comes together. You’ll also be clued in to what comes next. Did you know We Are Case is also available as a video? visit: www.youtube.com/@CaseAlumniAssoc/videos to see this video and all other Case Alumni Association videos. Visit casealumni.org for more episodes and stories.

    27 min
  4. Think[box] Radio Season 2 EP. 9: Krazy for Case

    2023-05-18

    Think[box] Radio Season 2 EP. 9: Krazy for Case

    Driven, smart, creative. That’s Franco “Krais” Kraiselburd, a student so atypical, he typifies today’s Case student. The third-year biomedical engineering major is CEO of his own startup, a guitarist in a rock band, and the founder of a new student group. Hailing from Argentina, he speaks four languages, which is why he can order his pizza in Italian in Little Italy. For complete show notes and a video version of this podcast, visit: casealumni.org/podcast/season-2-ep-9-krazy-for-case

    32 min
  5. Think[box] Radio Season 2 EP. 8: Bold science, new blood

    2023-04-13

    Think[box] Radio Season 2 EP. 8: Bold science, new blood

    Anirban Sen Gupta, a professor of biomedical engineering, has spent much of his career seeking a substitute for whole blood, which is always in short supply. Suddenly, his quest looks a lot more attainable. Sen Gupta’s lab will play a key role in a $46 million federally funded effort to develop artificial blood. It’s a project could achieve an historic first as it revolutionizes approaches to emergency care. For extended show notes and a video version of this episode, please visit: casealumni.org/podcast/season-2-ep-8-bold-science-new-blood

    42 min
  6. Think[box] Radio Season 2 EP 7: Research Catalyst

    2023-03-16

    Think[box] Radio Season 2 EP 7: Research Catalyst

    Joy Ward is a biologist, a climate scientist, and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. She’s also a research catalyst who has clearly made her mark since arriving from the University of Kansas three years ago. Her signature program, the Expanding Horizons Initiative, has opened up new research opportunities to faculty and students by funding interdisciplinary student-faculty teams. It also offers a window onto some of the fascinating research taking place at Case. For extended show notes and the video version of this podcast, please visit: casealumni.org/thinkboxradio/

    23 min
  7. Season 2 Episode 6: A Lighthanded touch

    2023-02-16

    Season 2 Episode 6: A Lighthanded touch

    While most popular with students, Sears think[box] is open to all. That includes alumni like Steve Burns ’11, MEM ’11, Brecken Blackburn, PhD ’21, and Matt McPheeters ’12, MS ’13, PhD ’21. The trio tapped the resources of the campus innovation center to launch their company, Lighthanded, and to develop a promising medical device. For additional show notes and the video version of this podcast, please visit: casealumni.org/uncategorized/season-2-ep-6/

    17 min
  8. Season 2 Episode 5: Thinking about think[box] at 10

    2023-01-19

    Season 2 Episode 5: Thinking about think[box] at 10

    Sears think[box] began a decade ago as a basement maker space in an engineering building. Today it’s the largest open-access innovation center on an American college campus. Jim McGuffin-Cawley, PhD ’84, the faculty director of Sears think[box], shares his vision for the future of this uncommon resource as workers add the finishing touches to the towering Richey-Mixon Building. To lear more please visit: casealumni.org/podcast/season-2-ep-5

    28 min
See All (27)

About

We Are Case is a podcast series featuring conversations with innovators at the Case School of Engineering and the math and sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Tune in to meet people who are making discoveries and advancing science in the labs and institutes of Case Quad. We’ll also introduce you to alumni who have taken their Case experiences out into the world to innovate, launch companies and change lives. Hosted by long-time Cleveland journalist Robert L. Smith and produced by Abbie Murphy, We Are Case shows the impact of a world-class research university. It is sponsored by the Case Alumni Association, the nation’s oldest independent alumni association of science and engineer graduates, and is the successor to our original podcast, Think[box] Radio. Where Think[box] Radio shared stories from CWRU’s world-class maker space, We Are Case is inspired by the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, a $300 million research flagship scheduled to open in 2026. We’re not waiting for the ribbon cutting and neither should you. Subscribe on your favorite platforms so you don’t miss an episode!

Information

  • Creator
    Case Alumni Association
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    We are Case