Meet the Parameswarans, a multigenerational Case Western Reserve University family
Editor’s note: Juliene Jones, the author of this story, is a student employee in the Department of University Marketing and Communications. She is a second-year student majoring in political science, international relations and sociology.
Satyarpita (Satya) Parameswaran is a first-year undergraduate student who just started this fall, but she is no stranger to the Case Western Reserve University community.
The university practically raised her; she grew up exploring the campus and dorms while visiting her brother, Soorya Parameswaran, who graduated from the university with a bachelor’s in economics in 2021 and a master's in finance in 2022. As a kid, Satya toured her parents’ labs in the School of Medicine, where Reshmi Parameswaran and Parameswaran Ramakrishnan are both associate professors.
“CWRU has always felt like a second home to me,” Satya said. “My strong family connection to this university has made me even more excited and proud to begin my studies, as it feels like I’m joining a place that has been deeply meaningful to all of us.”
Each family member has forged their own unique paths during their time at Case Western Reserve University. Still, they all agreed that the university’s personal connections, opportunities for real-world engagement, collaborative spirit and dedication to learning are what set the university apart.
Collaboration through connection
All the Parameswarans have made meaningful, personal connections through Case Western Reserve that have proven to be invaluable.
For Soorya, his relationships with professors and mentors convinced him to continue pursuing his master’s degree with the university. He describes them as “mentors who pushed me to think critically and creatively.”
Parameswaran Ramakrishnan felt welcome at Case Western Reserve University the moment he joined the community in 2013, noting, “I felt a personal connection with CWRU, mainly because of the welcoming and friendly environment.”
Reshmi Parameswaran was drawn to the university for its “collaborative and supportive environment.” She said she sees that collaborative spirit among her peers and with her students, who challenge her to think in new ways.
Reshmi Parameswaran and Parameswaran Ramakrishnan both conduct research at CWRU and appreciate the university’s strong ties with its neighboring institutions, including University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic.
What makes CWRU special, Reshmi said, is “its unique blend of academic excellence, collaborative culture, and strong connection to world-class institutions.”
“For students, it offers an environment where they’re challenged intellectually while also being supported in personal growth,” she said. “For faculty, it’s a place where innovation is encouraged—whether in research, teaching, or clinical care—and where interdisciplinary collaboration is truly part of the culture,” she said.
Parameswaran Ramakrishnan agreed, noting that the university’s relationships give “opportunity for students as well as faculties to collaborate and grow together.”
Satya always hoped to gain research experience and immerse herself in medicine as an undergraduate, making Case Western Reserve so appealing.
“I hope to explore research opportunities on campus and expand my knowledge [of] medicine through volunteering and shadowing,” she said.
Beyond the classroom
The Parameswarans have all found opportunities to engage with the wider community and apply their focus to the real world.
As a student at Weatherhead School of Management, Soorya Parameswaran was able to launch—and fail—two startups as an undergraduate, calling this experience “invaluable.”
“They gave me the head start I needed to pursue entrepreneurship full time after graduation, with a clearer sense of what works and what doesn’t,” he said, noting that his time at CWRU gave him the “freedom to balance academics with real-world experimentation.”
Outside of labs and academics, Soorya was inspired by the cultural connections he made within the undergraduate community. He remembers how the Indian Student Association’s Holi Festival and Andaaz, the annual cultural showcase, brought people together. He describes the experience as “inspiring,” where students “come together to create something vibrant and memorable.”
Satya is excited to explore Downtown Cleveland, one of the reasons the university appealed to her. In particular, she’s eager to explore the Playhouse Square theater district and the wide range of museums within walking distance of campus.
Advice for Satya
When reflecting on their experiences at Case Western Reserve University, Satya’s family has nothing but confidence that she will succeed.
Soorya encourages his sister to stay “focused on the bigger picture” by being intentional with her time and surrounding herself with people who motivate and inspire her. For Soorya, seeing his sister starting her journey at Case Western Reserve University feels “surreal,” and reminds him of “how quickly time moves and how strong the university’s traditions remain.”
Having seen CWRU students' curiosity, collaboration, dedication and commitment to learning over the years, both of Satya’s parents are excited for her to start her time at Case Western Reserve.
Parameswaran Ramakrishnan, is proud that his daughter has the opportunity to grow and train at Case Western Reserve. As an associate professor and mentor, he is confident that Satya will be fully prepared for the next step in her career. As Satya grows both academically and personally, he hopes that she will “never stop learning, teaching and healing.”
Reshmi Parameswaran is “proud and excited” that her daughter is joining the university community. Being familiar with the university’s academic support and education, Reshmi is confident that her daughter is in the right place. She hopes that Satya will find her own path, “build meaningful relationships,” and “grow through both challenges and successes.”
“[Case Western Reserve University] becomes more than just a place where we work or study—it becomes part of our family’s story,” Reshmi said. “We get to see the university through each other’s eyes, and that deepens our appreciation for what it offers. There’s also a sense of pride in knowing we’re contributing to the same community in our own ways. It makes the experience more personal and, in many ways, more fulfilling.”
