October 28, 2024

by Liz Mendecino ’26

What do Ramapo College and Princeton University have in common? Excellent academics, dedicated faculty and staff, beautiful campuses…and now Christopher Barbieri ‘25. 

The first-generation data science major with a minor in engineering in physics student has been accepted into the prestigious Princeton Prospective Ph.D. Preview Program. The nationally recognized program focuses on engaging scholars from diverse academic, research, and non-traditional backgrounds around the path to the Ph.D. The program prepares scholars for the graduate application process, provides skill and professional development workshops, and gives students the opportunity to learn more about the hidden curriculum of graduate education. P3 Scholars will also have the opportunity to learn and hear from current Princeton graduate students, faculty, and staff to get an understanding of program requirements and expectations.

“The Princeton P3 program was recommended to me by the director of the McNair Scholars program I’m in here at Ramapo, Sandra Suarez,” said Barbieri. “Being a first-generation and non-traditional student, the path to higher education can be difficult to navigate. McNair, as well as Princeton P3, is designed to guide students through the process of applying to grad schools and participating in research, among other things.”

Barbieri has contributed extensively to engineering physics research at Ramapo, with research projects such as ‘Automated Image Processing for X-ray Analysis of Wine Corks’ (in collaboration with New Jersey Institute of Technology), ‘Comparison between cold press and hot press fabrication methods for p & n type Bismuth Telluride’, ‘Preliminary Fluid Calculations for COMSOL Multiphysics Development for Cooled Photovoltaic Systems, and ‘COMSOL Multiphysics Model Development for Materials Science Curriculum’. 

Sandra Suarez, director of the STEM Center, as well as the Upward Bound Math Science & McNair Scholars programs, worked closely with Barbieri in his application, along with referring him to the program. Suarez knows how crucial it is to ensure first-generation students have access to information on their post-secondary, graduate, and doctoral options. “Working with the McNair Scholars this past year has allowed me to do two things that I love: work with students on something they are passionate about, and learn about science,” said Suarez. “As a primatologist, I know a lot about monkeys, but working with these students in all kinds of fields, and interacting with the faculty that they are doing research with has allowed me to learn about physics, chemistry, math, computer science, and psychology in ways I never could before.” 

First-generation students often have a harder time navigating the path to higher education. Ramapo College strives to support first-generation students in all aspects of their academic career, from providing resources in the First-Generation Student Center, to receiving over $1 million in grants and to helping students pursue further education and careers after their time at Ramapo. Programs such as the McNair help first -generation students not only earn their degree, but excel in their field of study and feel empowered to pursue their dreams.

Ramapo has a support system for any student who wishes to find scholarships within their field of study, interest, or identity that can help them pay for college, or pursue opportunities such as studying abroad. Students are encouraged to explore the Office of Prestigious Fellowships & Scholarships website or contact the program director & professor of political science and international studies, Dr. Rebecca Root rroot@ramapo.edu. Interested in the McNair Scholars Program? Dr. Suarez is waiting to hear from you: ssuarez@ramapo.edu.