Touring Case Western Reserve University’s campus as a prospective student, Noah Medrano could think of nothing but the future. Student organizations, co-ops, research opportunities, study abroad experiences—the endless possibilities intrigued Medrano and sold him on CWRU.
He immersed himself in the university’s experiential opportunities from the get-go. He got a jumpstart on the college experience with the university’s Emerging Scholars Program, a summer bridge opportunity, and participated in Líderes Avanzando, a culturally aware program to help Latine students’ transition to college.
Now a second-year student majoring in computer engineering and humanity and technology, Medrano is helping create pathways for future students to enhance their studies.
As a Mandel Undergraduate Fellow, Medrano works alongside several peers and program coordinators Tim Beal and Lisa Nielson to develop programming that bridges the gap between STEM and the humanities. Medrano’s insights focus on computer science and philosophy.
“It’s extremely fulfilling to see real impact based on what we say,” he said. “I love being able to study two wonderful fields and have the chance to integrate them together into one cohesive piece.”
For Medrano, integrating engineering and the humanities is more than a concept—he’s already at work on a project that puts both subjects at the forefront. As a member of Alexis Block’s Social and Physical Human-Robot Interaction (SaPHaRI) Lab at the Human Fusions Institute, Medrano is contributing to the Affect-Sending Wearable Project, which involves robotics and emotions.
Medrano’s achievements have already garnered national recognition; last fall he was one of 10,000 students across the country selected as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholar.
Learn more about Medrano’s involvement at CWRU.
Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
1. What inspired you to pursue your area of study?
My interest in computer engineering stems from a lifelong fascination with technology. From a young age, I found joy in taking apart my laptop for fun and analyzing the components, just because I was curious. I began to teach myself what programming is and was amazed by its applications and impact on our modern world.
2. Can you describe your research?
I currently work in Dr. Alexis E. Block’s SaPHaRI (Social and Physical Human-Robot Interaction) Lab at the Human Fusions Institute. I am working on the Affect-Sensing Wearable project, which aims to use affective computing to promote social-physical interactions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), who often experience difficulty interpreting and expressing emotions.
We are preparing to conduct a study with Cleveland locals to gather physiological, self-reported, and design data. I love my work and look forward to getting more involved in the research community at the IEEE/ACM Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) conference later this semester in Melbourne, Australia. I will present our workshop paper and l serve as a student volunteer!
3. What are your career aspirations?
After graduating from CWRU, I plan to pursue graduate school, likely with a focus on robotics or a related field. I love the research that I am a part of, and I would like to continue to explore how robotics can enhance accessibility, improve human-machine collaboration, and solve real-world problems. Beyond research, I want to continue to get involved with the local community by volunteering.
4. What was your experience like in the Emerging Scholars program?
I had a wonderful experience in the Emerging Scholars Program, and I wouldn’t be nearly as successful without it. The program director and program coordinator—Dr. Stephen Haynesworth and Arthur Evenchik, respectively—have always been there to support me and work as my advisors.
During the summer bridge program, we worked on math and english, subjects that I needed help with building a strong academic foundation. It was then that I met the other students in the program and was introduced to the college environment. We met with different CWRU offices, such as financial aid and the Career Center, to explore what types of support systems were available, which helped me gain confidence in speaking to them when I needed help.
My biggest takeaway from the program is by far the importance of time management. I love my Google calendar and make sure to block out time for all of the activities I do.
The program continues to introduce me to a plethora of opportunities, including the Mandel Undergraduate Fellowship. I’m often reminded that the Emerging Scholars Program has not ended, it’s a lifelong program filled with continuous learning and support. I know that both Arthur and Dr. Haynesworth will be there to support me, even after graduation.
5. What was your experience like with Líderes Avanzando?
I had a great time with Líderes Avanzando. Every Wednesday we would meet and talk about transitioning from high school to college, skills we could use as rising professionals, and engage with guest speakers. One of the best parts was the Hispanic cuisine we had each week, it made me feel at home. I made some true friends there for whom I am extremely grateful. At the end of the program, my cohort led a service event at Edgewater Park, where we helped to clean the area.
I also had the opportunity to meet Germaine Peña and Joshua White from Esperanza Inc. who told me about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and their own Esperanza Scholarship program, both of which I received due to Germaine and Joshua’s help and support.
6. In what ways are you involved on campus?
Outside of research and classes, I am involved in student clubs. I serve as a co-president for CWRU’s self-care club, “Se-xy.” In college, students often face the issue of forgetting to take care of themselves. We aim to host self-care events for the entire CWRU student body every other week and often collaborate with other student organizations. Our main goal is for students to forget about homework assignments and spend time rewarding themselves for the hard work they do.
Additionally, I serve as the vice-president of residential services (VPRS) and the national communications coordinator in-training (NCC-IT) in the Residence Hall Association, which aims to improve the student experience in the residence halls.
In my role as VPRS, I work closely with University Housing and Residence Life to improve the facilities and experience for students inside the residence halls. I also co-lead our Advocacy Committee. As NCC-IT, I attend our regional and national conferences, representing CWRU in the boardroom. With this, I also help to choose other delegates who will attend the conferences.
Lastly, I serve as treasurer for HackCWRU, Cleveland’s premier annual student-run hackathon held on campus. I also work in the Mandel School as a student assistant for the Admissions Office.
7. What did it mean to you to be named a Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) scholar?
I am tremendously grateful to be named an HSF scholar. It’s an honor to be connected with so many great individuals who aim to support each other and raise each other up. I often receive news of new opportunities for us scholars.