Three engineering physics students from Ramapo College of New Jersey have been accepted into National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs this summer, according to an April 17 announcement. The programs will allow the students to conduct research at institutions across the country, with all expenses paid and a stipend of about $8,000.
These placements are part of a broader effort to give undergraduate students hands-on experience in science and engineering fields. The college says these opportunities help participants develop important skills and explore future educational or career paths in STEM.
“These are ten-week funded programs with everything paid, room and board, and a very generous stipend of about $8,000,” said Dr. Daniela Buna, Professor of Physics at Ramapo College. Buna added, “I am telling this story to everybody who wants to hear … I am so proud of them and so proud of the work we get to do.”
The three selected students are Agnese Karen Gamarra ‘27, Masayasu Nitta ‘27, and Eranda Serjani ‘27. Gamarra will attend Syracuse University’s interactive biomaterials REU program where she will study disordered proteins using molecular dynamic simulations. Nitta chose the Penn State Sustainable Physics REU after being accepted into several other programs. Serjani will participate in the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter REU at the University of Pennsylvania.
Last year’s Engineering Physics Club President Emily Markuske ‘26 also took part in an REU at Penn State researching nanotechnology materials used in computer chips. Markuske said her experiences led her to pursue graduate studies: “It was a great opportunity and that made me want to pursue research in materials science, specifically semiconductors and nanotechnology.” She has since been accepted into graduate programs at Stevens Institute of Technology and New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Small class sizes at Ramapo were cited by several students as key factors supporting their success. Markuske said: “The best thing at Ramapo for me is the small class sizes…there is a close connection formed between professor and student.” Serjani added: “We have a small set of very dedicated professors who really have the best intentions at heart.” Nitta agreed that working closely with faculty created more opportunities for research.
Students from Ramapo’s McNair Scholars program have recently presented their work at national conferences including events hosted by the American Physical Society and McNair Scholars Conference.
Buna concluded by saying she was proud of all participating Roadrunners for “their willingness to go the extra mile, work hard and prove themselves.”
