Meet a Colleague: Nick Barber

Meet a Colleague: Nick Barber Nick Barber is an assistant professor of earth and environmental geoscience.

W&L News Office
April 8, 2026

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I have been at W&L almost three years, starting in July 2023.

Q. What is your favorite course to teach, and why?
All my courses are so different, whether I am teaching about mineralogy, natural resources, disasters or volcanology, it's hard to pick one! I guess the one I'm most fond of is EEG211 Earth Materials. It was the first course I taught here and it involves as much artistic ability as it does scientific ability

Q. If you chose a different path, what other career would you have?
I love having a historical perspective on events. It's what led me to geology, which in my mind combines the best of history and science in one discipline. I imagine in another life I'd be a historian!

Q. Where did you grow up?
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. About 30 minutes north of Philly (go Birds!).

Q. What was your favorite subject in school?
Definitely history! I had an inspiring AP U.S. history teacher named Mrs. Scenna. Her passion, dedication and creativity in the classroom embodies the type of teacher I hope to one day become!

Q. What three words describe you best?
Oof, that's a hard one! I suppose optimistic, unserious and passionate.

Q. Name one person from history you would like to spend a day with and why.
Too many to count. I would love to talk to Pliny the Younger about his experience witnessing Vesuvius' destruction of Pompeii in 79 A.D. I bet there's a lot I could learn from his first-hand account!

Q. What do you like to do away from work?
I like to read, hike and cook. Cooking is my favorite thing to do, especially when I have time to be creative and elaborate.

Q. What is your least favorite chore at home?
Definitely picking up the toys left behind by two energetic and cute toddlers!

What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
I have hiked into active volcanoes, though that is part of my day job.

Q. What is your all-time favorite food or food dish?
There's a dive bar in New Orleans I visit every time I'm in the city that makes the best plate of etoufée I've ever had. I wish I could have it shipped to me!

Q. Where would you choose to build your dream home?
In the rolling hills north or east of Philly, either Montgomery or Chester county. My dream home would need to be decorated with as much gorgeous bedrock from the region as possible (specifically the twinkling micas of Wissahickon schist).

Q. What is your all-time favorite book?
This is a hard one. The book that changed my perspective on life and writing the most was probably "A Prayer for Owen Mean." I read it when I was 17, and it was really affecting.

Q. If you could choose one series to binge-watch, what would it be?
Probably "Star Trek Deep Space 9." I've seen Jean-Luc Picard enough, I need to move on!

Q. What song or artist could you play on repeat?
"Big Chief" by Professor Longhair. Anything in the blues genre will keep me going for days!