Though Nivedita “Nivi” Srinivasan had to rely on a YouTube video tour to acquaint herself with Case Western Reserve, she quickly found what she was looking for: proximity to major hospital systems, different weather patterns and a classical Indian dance festival (Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival).
Now as a rising fourth-year student, Srinivasan is a tour guide helping other students find their homes here—a job she continues when they’ve arrived on campus.
Srinivasan, who is majoring in biology and pursuing a Master of Arts in Bioethics and Medical Humanities, is an orientation leader who helps new students—some of whom remember her from their tours—acclimate to their new surroundings.
Born in Chennai, India, and raised in Dubai, Srinivasan first learned to speak Tamil. Since then, her experiences learning English and living in a new country have made her a trusted tutoring consultant in the Spoken English Language Programs.
“I realized that having a tutor who’s been through the same challenges makes learning feel more realistic and less intimidating,” said Srinivasan, who works with international graduate students and postdocs. “I always start my sessions by telling students how I first learned Tamil, my mother tongue, before I ever spoke English. This helps them feel more comfortable making mistakes, knowing I’ve been there too.”
Tutoring is just one of Srinivasan’s many activities that support members of the community—both at CWRU and beyond. She’s also volunteered through the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning (CCEL) with MedWish and the Crisis Text Line.
“[CCEL] became my gateway to connect with the Cleveland community beyond campus” she said. “Each experience in its own way lets me serve others. It’s my way of giving back and staying grounded.”
Also a member of the University Title IX Board, Srinivasan is dedicated to upholding fairness and equity on campus and said she is “proud to play my part in upholding a respectful and just campus environment.”
She is a committed member of the Residence Hall Association, having filled leadership roles on campus and been inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary, and is now co-chairing a regional leadership conference that will return to CWRU for the first time in 23 years.
In her final year at the university, she will step into the role of resident assistant, furthering her impact and service to the campus community.
Learn more about Srinivasan’s contributions on campus and beyond below.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
1. What drew you to CWRU?
As an international student, my options were broad: UK, U.S. or Canada. Pretty early on, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career as a physician, and a U.S. MD degree speaks for itself. After narrowing my search to the U.S., CWRU’s proximity to leading hospitals like Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals immediately stood out to me. I knew I wanted to be somewhere that emphasized hands-on experience, and the collaborative environment here has allowed me to grow through research, clinical volunteering and leadership roles.
Beyond academics, what truly sealed my decision was the welcoming and supportive community. As a trained Indian classical dancer, I was elated to know Cleveland was home to a huge dance festival called the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, and I’ve been volunteering and taking part in it for the last three years; it feels like I never left India.
Aside from all these rational thoughts, coming from the hot deserts of Dubai, I thought it would be pretty cool to be in a snowy place for a change (have to accept there have been some highs and lows of winter).
2. Why did you want to pursue biology? Why did you decide to add bioethics and medical humanities to your studies?
In school, science always came more naturally to me than subjects like geography, history or politics. I gravitated toward biology because it’s such a broad field—it gave me the flexibility to explore different areas until I found what truly interested me.
That “aha” moment happened when I started studying bioethics and medical humanities. I realized how much I enjoy using scientific reasoning to navigate sensitive topics like human rights and healthcare ethics. I’ve always been a very vocal person, unafraid to speak up for what I believe in. So, combining science with emotions, values, and advocacy felt like the perfect fit. Bioethics allows me to bridge hard science with the human experience, and that’s what makes it so appealing to me.
By the time I was almost done with my undergraduate degree, I realized I could have graduated with this class. But I wasn’t ready to apply to medical schools last year and didn’t want to take a gap year due to my student visa status. That’s when the combined program in bioethics and medical humanities came back, and it felt like a sign. Now, I’m on track to graduate next May with two degrees—for the cost of one—while better preparing myself to be the kind of physician I aspire to be.
3. What are your ultimate career aspirations?
My ultimate career aspiration is to become a physician. Right now, I’m particularly interested in surgery, but I know my journey through medical school and clinical rotations will help me discover where I truly belong. Applying to medical school is a very testing time for anyone, especially for students like me now given the recent changes happening. But I’m headstrong, confident, and ready to take on whatever comes my way.
For me, being a physician is not just about the science and clinical skills—it’s about being a compassionate advocate for my patients and giving back to the community that shaped me.
Beyond medicine, I also plan to keep training as a professional dancer. It keeps me grounded, gives me joy, and reminds me that I’m more than just my career.
4. What have you enjoyed most about being an English tutor?
What I’ve enjoyed most is how these sessions go beyond just language learning. Since many of my students are new to the country, just like I was a few years ago, we often end up sharing tips about adjusting to life in the U.S. For example, I’ve shared my favorite places in Cleveland, while a student from China told me how they got their driver’s license so quickly. These conversations make tutoring feel personal, meaningful and mutually enriching. Even though the job is remote, it never feels distant, and the supportive environment created by my supervisor, Eric Moore, has made the entire experience both enjoyable and fulfilling.
5. Can you tell me a bit about your experience with the Nritya Dance Team?
Nritya Dance Team has been my biggest blessing here. I’ve been dancing since I was 5 years old, and deep down, I was scared moving here might mean losing that part of me. But finding Nritya was like finding home again. This year, captaining the team taught me how to uplift others, bring out their unique strengths, and lead with empathy.
Our end-of-year production with Naadam Club was the first of its kind—a proud moment made even more special when my family surprised me by traveling from Buffalo to watch. Those four-hour weekly practices? They’re my safe haven, whether it’s finals week or a national holiday. Dance doesn’t stop for me.
6. How do you balance so many activities?
Balancing so many activities has always come down to a mix of strong time management, deep-rooted support, and intentional choices. I’ve been practicing this since high school, when I juggled a rigorous academic schedule, classical dance training and professional cricket training with the UAE U19 Women’s team.
A huge reason I could manage all of that was my parents. Whether it was my mom coordinating my dance performances, my dad driving me to early morning practices, or both of them helping me get third-party academic support, they’ve always had my back. Even now, they’ve moved from Dubai to the U.S. just to support me through my medical school journey, and I can never thank them enough for that.
Practically speaking, Google Calendar has changed my life. I schedule everything, even meals and sleep, because it helps me stay realistic about what I can and can’t do. I love having a routine; it keeps me grounded.
And perhaps most importantly, I have a personal policy: I don’t do things I don’t enjoy. If I try something and it doesn’t spark joy or purpose, I won’t prioritize it again. That mindset ensures that everything I say yes to is something I genuinely care about which makes it all manageable and meaningful.
7. Is there anything else you would like to share?
A fun fact I love sharing is that I hold titles in the Guinness World Records, Asia Book of Records, and India Book of Records for participating in a group virtual dance event during the pandemic.
Apart from that, I’m really looking forward to spending this summer back in Cleveland. I can’t believe it’s the last one before graduation. I’ve received funding to continue my research in the Wald Lab, where I’ve been working since last year, and I’ll also be celebrating my 21st birthday in a few days—with my parents and younger brother, for the first time in three years. It’s a special milestone, and I’m grateful I get to spend it with them.