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Alaina Bartel

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As director of university communications, Alaina Bartel leads a team responsible for driving impactful university-wide communications at CWRU. 

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Recent News Articles

Unraveling DNA's role in pop culture—from superheroes to crime scenes

From movies set in dystopian futures to real-life courtroom dramas, DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, has fueled storytellers’ imaginations for decades. The molecule responsible for shaping our understanding of biological inheritance has inspired everything from comic book tales about the birth of…

Total solar eclipse today: Here’s everything you should know

Editor’s note: Looking at a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause eye damage. In most cases, the effects are temporary, but the damage can be permanent. It takes just seconds for damage to occur. Symptoms of eye damage from a solar eclipse include blurry vision, headache, a blind spot…

Total solar eclipse on April 8: What the CWRU community needs to know

Editor’s note: Looking at a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause eye damage. In most cases, the effects are temporary, but the damage can be permanent. It takes just seconds for damage to occur. Symptoms of eye damage from a solar eclipse include blurry vision, headache, a blind spot…

In bloom: Take a floral adventure around Cleveland

As the chill of winter gives way to the warmth of spring, Cleveland transforms into a vibrant tapestry of colors—thanks to the blooming flowers that dot its parks, gardens and urban landscapes. Spring begins today (March 19) and Case Western Reserve University students, faculty and staff have a…

Decoding caffeine: Benefits, risks and common myths from a medical toxicologist

In the bustling world of academia—where late nights and early mornings are often the norm—caffeine reigns supreme as an elixir of productivity. With March being Caffeine Awareness Month, The Daily set out to learn more about this ubiquitous stimulant with the help of Ryan Marino, assistant…

The day the music died: How Don McLean’s “American Pie” immortalized a tragedy 

"So, bye-bye, miss American pie..." While chances are you've sung along to Don McLean's "American Pie," you may be less familiar with the radio hit's somber inspiration. Referenced in the lyrics as "the day the music died," McLean’s 1971 song was paying homage to Feb. 3, 1959—the day pop…

From think[box] pioneer to California dreamer: Ian Charnas' trailblazing journey in innovation to take new turn at CrunchLabs

In 2019, Ian Charnas (CWR ’05) solved what may be one of the most irksome problems to ever face humanity—at least in his opinion. He modified his car so the windshield wipers sync to the beat of whatever music he’s listening to. Why? Because he simply yearned for a more harmonious driving…

How to get in the spooky spirit for Halloween, according to CWRU professors

From classic films to heartwarming family shows, eerie poems and captivating theater productions, Halloween has long been a source of inspiration for various forms of media. Halloween-themed content has evolved over the years, appealing to different generations along the way. In the 1960s,…

Celebrating unsung heroes: Meet one custodian who keeps our campus in tip-top shape

From watching a goose raise her goslings on a patio overlooking Bellflower Road to witnessing students she befriended walk at commencement, custodian Dawn Roberson has had a front-row seat to the heartwarming and transformative moments that make the Case Western Reserve University campus more than…

A spectacle of colors: Learn where to see fall foliage around Northeast Ohio

When it comes to the benefits of living in Northeast Ohio, one tops many people’s lists: the seasons. Fall has officially begun, and as autumn’s crisp breeze sweeps through the region, the landscape is transforming into a breathtaking mosaic of crimson, gold and amber hues. Whether you’re…