Poverty Center Staff Biographies
Tsui Chan, B.S. in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve University,
is a Programmer/Analyst at the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development. Ms. Chan's
responsibilities include developing and designing databases, analyzing data using SAS and other
software packages, conducting spatial analysis and mapping, and managing the Center's computer
network. She is also responsible for the design and maintenance of the Center's online database
system (NEO CANDO),
and the development of computer programs and GIS applications that are used in various research
projects in the Center.
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April Hirsh, M.S.S.A from Case Western Reserve University, joined the Center to
work as a Research Assistant in 2008. She works to assist Dr. Mark Joseph in qualitative research
on mixed-income developments, and with Dr. Claudia Coulton and Michael Schramm on foreclosure and
property issues in Cleveland. She is very concise.
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Eamon Johnson, B.S. Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
is an Analyst/Programmer at the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development. He uses his deep
background in software, networking, and databases to guide the design, build, and maintenance of
the Center's web-based data services. Eamon pursues his research interests in internet applications
and network protocols at the Case School of Engineering, where he is a graduate student.
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Nina Lalich, M.S.P.H. in Biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, is an Analyst/Programmer at the Center. She provides data management and statistical
analysis in support of the Center's research and evaluation efforts. She is currently involved in
the evaluation study of Cuyahoga County's Invest in Children program. She has also participated in
studies of welfare recipients and welfare leavers. Prior to joining the Center, Nina was a Public
Health Service officer with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
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Curtis O'Neal, B.A. in Anthropology, University of Chicago, serves as Administrative
Coordinator for the Center. Curtis joined the Poverty Center's team after working for a financial
planning agency dealing with sports celebrities and "high net worth" clients. His dealings with
various philanthropist clients and their foundations, community trusts, as well as religious,
political and charitable contributions, inspired him to work professionally in a center promoting
social change.
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Richey Piiparinen, M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University in
Chicago and M.U.P.D.D from Cleveland State, joined the Center to work as a Research Assistant in
2011. A Cleveland native and current City resident, Richey's dedication to Northeast Ohio is
reflected in past and current work related to: workforce development; community aging; neighborhood
re-development, and the socio-emotional effects of the post-industrial landscape. A writer, he has
published numerous short stories as well as contributes to a regional blog dedicated to a Rust Belt
renaissance called
Rust Wire. Richey is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan, with an
emphasis on the "die-hard", considering.
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Jess Rudolph, B.A. in English from Case Western Reserve University, assists in
the daily operations of the Poverty Center. He works closely with the Invest In Children Evaluation
Staff on administrative and computer upkeep for the Center. Jess also assists with web content
including the
Center's blog
and
NEO CANDO Facebook page. Prior to joining the
staff at the Center he worked as an undergraduate assistant at the Center for four years.
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Michael Schramm, M.A. in Geography from Syracuse University, is a Research
Associate and Analyst/Programmer at the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development in
the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He is
extensively involved in the development and maintenance of the Center's neighborhood information
system,
NEO CANDO (Northeast Ohio Community and
Neighborhood Data for Organizing). He also assists the community on a continuing basis with data
and GIS mapping and conducts regular training sessions on how to use the NEO CANDO as a tool for
social change. Michael's research interests include: lending and foreclosure patterns, vacant
properties and neighborhood revitalization. Michael's expertise on foreclosure, subprime mortgages,
and other real property data have been extensively utilized by the Neighborhood Stabilization Team
sponsored by Neighborhood Progress, Inc, the Cuyahoga County Foreclosure Prevention Program as well
as the newly established Cuyahoga County Land Bank. He is also active in the local foreclosure and
vacant property dialogue through VAPAC (Vacant and Abandoned Property Action Council) and has
presented at numerous national meeting and conferences on these topics. Beginning in July
2010, Michael took on an additional role as the Director of IT and Research at the
Cuyahoga Land Bank, but will continue to be
associated with Case and NEO CANDO in an advisory role.
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