Ramya Raman
Bharatha Natyam
Performer, Choreographer and Teacher
Fulbright Research
Ramya Raman graduated from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU in Cleveland, Ohio) with a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Dance. Currently working at Oregon Health Sciences University OHSU - as a researcher in Immunology, Raman continues to perform and actively teach dance.
During her time at CWRU, Raman conducted both clinical and biomedical research. Her recent biomedical research involved protein synthesis on age related macular degeneration. She also worked on two clinical research projects as a Research Associate in the Division of Emergency Medicine where one project focused on patient views of face masks and the other was a retrospective study on strokes verses aging. Raman's research has lead to publications, presentations, and she has been recipient of prestigious grant funding for her research work. She has also worked with autistic children through the Center for Speech and Hearing in Cleveland.
Raman has learned and performed modern dance at the Mather Dance Center. Being a well trained Bharatha Natyam dancer she did her solo dance graduation at India in 2004. Raman is an Assistant Teacher and choreographer at the Natya Dance Academy in Portland, and has performed at many prestigious venues including dance festivals and performing arts centers in the US with critical acclaim to her credit.
Raman's interest to help and work with children with special needs inspired her Fulbright project.
Raman's Fulbright-Nehru research title is ‘Effectiveness of Classical Indian Dance Therapy for Autistic Children.' Through this observational ethnographic study Raman will evaluate the effects of teaching Bharatha Natyam classical Indian dance movements to children with autism in India. The study will assess how this structured and disciplined ancient dance and the specialized hand gestures are used for story telling; which is very different from the free form dance therapies in the US and how it can facilitate behavioral, social and communication skills in autistic children. For this study, Raman will observe children for one year at the Rasa center at Chennai, India.
Raman enjoys public speeches and has presented talks on numerous topics. Lectures presented (below) to wide variety of audience. An avid writer, she has contributed to her college newsletter (published articles below).
Raman has done internship under renowned author/dance critic Martha Ullmann West to finesse her writing skills. She is a talented freelance writer who has written articles published in local newspapers.
Lectures presented
Indian
Dance and Movement Therapy for Autistic Children
2011
Fulbright South East Asia conference
Indian
Dance and Movement Therapy for Autistic Children
2011
Swabhiman Trust, Chennai, India
Fulbright Scholarship Grant
Indian Culture of the Gupta Era: An Analysis of Classical Literature
2005
Art & Lecture Series:
Commissioned:
Young Scholars grant from Oregon Council for Humanities
Indian Culture of the Gupta Era: An Analysis of Classical Literature
2005
Catlin
Young Scholars grant from Oregon Council for Humanities
Publications
WRUW Studio-A-Rama:
2008
Contributing Reporter
The Observer
September 7, 2008; Volume XLI, Issue 1
Case dancers offer something for everyone:
2008
Contributing Reporter
The Observer
January 25, 2008; Volume XL, Issue 14
Multimedia artist MK Guth brings psychosocial
art to CIA
2008
Contributing Reporter
The Observer
January 25, 2008; Volume XL, Issue 14
Case graduate balances arts and science as performer, researcher
2007
Contributing Reporter
The Observer
December 7, 2007; Volume XL, Issue 13
Upcoming projects
With the kids at RASA Center in Chennai, India