Most Interesting People 2015: Richey Piiparinen

Why he's interesting: As a senior research associate at Cleveland State University's Center for Population Dynamics, Piiparinen's work with demographic data and group psychology has proven that Cleveland's economic recovery is real and it's time for us to shed our collective Rust Belt shame. His work has received national attention and his writing about data and trends has appeared in The Atlantic, The Plain Dealer and The Huffington Post.

Status update: Many Clevelanders have what Piiparinen calls shrinking city syndrome. "It's informed by a psychology that has set up in the Rust Belt the last 30 to 40 to 50 years — it's a psychology of loss and shame. Shame is an emotion that results when you lose status. Shame arises when you're perceived as less important, and that's what really happened to the Rust Belt." But things are looking up: Personal income for Cleveland residents in 2012 was around $45,000 — up more than $10,000 since 2000 — and ahead of personal income for Portland, Oregon, and Las Vegas, says Piiparinen.

On the rebound: Cleveland ranks eighth in the U.S. for highly skilled young workers (25- to 34-year-olds with a graduate or professional degree). The region is 10th in the country for all workers, regardless of age, with a graduate or professional degree — up from 22nd in 2005. "Our theory is this advanced degree concentration is going to lead to a multiplier effect. Innovation is going to create more firms, hire more people and the wealth of having more money. When you have more money, you spend more and you create more service jobs."

Deeper looks: The Center for Population Dynamics opened last March thanks to funding from an anonymous benefactor who was inspired by a white paper Piiparinen and his research partner, Jim Russell, wrote. "We have a vision — as opposed to saying our job numbers for this month look like shit. It's a big picture."

City life: Piiparinen enjoys watching the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers, grilling out and drinking beer, including local favorite Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Oktoberfest. "I have tattoos, I'm from the inner city. I'm a regular dude."

Powerful ink: On his rib cage you'll find Sisyphus, the man who was condemned for eternity to push a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down. Behind him is the Cleveland skyline. "It's tough, trying to help change not only yourself but a collective. It just feels like you're pushing up a rock and the rock is falling down. But you've got to do it."

Demanding change: "I'm Cleveland, and I care about Cleveland enough to know that I'm kind of tired of just being Cleveland and being time-stamped as this blue-collar, hardworking, modest, self-flagellating town. I want the evolution of Cleveland."