What’s Happening Today!

Welcome to a new & exciting daily post from That Black Chemist! 

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is offering paid research internships at NIST for students in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, and more. Work alongside top scientists at a federal lab, gain real research experience, and build your STEM career. Applications open this fall so get ready to apply early for the chance to spend your summer advancing science in a national lab setting.

NASA’s ICPE program is inviting proposals for science experiments, lab simulations, and instrument development to support future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Funded research could shape how we understand other worlds. If you’re part of a research team working on planetary science, now’s the time to pitch your idea.

Managing diabetes may soon get easier thanks to AI models that predict glucose spikes without sharing personal health data. Using federated learning, researchers developed a privacy-preserving tool that adapts to users’ eating habits and delivers real-time insights.

Upcoming Opportunities

🧬 $5,000 SURF Research Fellowship at Boston University

Boston University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a prestigious 10-week program that places students in cutting-edge biology, biochemistry, genetics, or environmental science labs under expert faculty mentorship. Participants receive a $6,000 stipend, research supplies, housing, and travel support along with career workshops and a fall research symposium in Boston.

This NSF-funded opportunity is designed to boost access to grad school and research careers, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds or colleges with limited research programs.

📅 Program Details

• Award: $6,000 stipend + up to $1,100 in research and travel support

• Duration: 10 weeks during summer 2026

• Location: Boston University

• Includes: Housing, supplies, and return trip for fall symposium

• Apply Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• GPA of 3.0 or higher

• Research interest in biology, biochemistry, genetics, or environmental science

⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know

• 🧪 NSF REU Summer Research Programs: List of funded undergrad research programs. (Search here)

• 🎓 Zintellect: List of scholarships, research fellowships, and internship opportunities funded by the U.S. government or private sector. (Search here)

• 💰 NASA OSTEM Internships: List of NASA Internships for high school and undergraduate STEM students. (More info)

• 🪖 Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship: $30,000-$46,000 scholarship awarded to top STEM students. (Link)

🌍 International Opportunities

• 🧲 Pathways to Science: List of upcoming internships, scholarships, and research programs hosted by any country [open to international students]. (Search here)

• 🔬 Amgen Scholars Program: Prestigious summer research program for undergraduate students in the U.S., Europe, or Asia. (More info)

• ⚛️ European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN): Search for any upcoming internships related to chemistry, physics, engineering, or data science! (Link here)

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Intrax Global Internships: STEM-focused internship program for international students hosted by the U.S. Department of State. (More info)

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Scientist’s Scroll

🌀 NASA’s IXPE Uncovers the True Power Source Behind a Rare Pulsar

In a breakthrough study, scientists used NASA’s IXPE telescope to reveal that X-rays from a rare binary pulsar system, PSR J1023+0038, originate not from its accretion disk—as long assumed—but from a chaotic pulsar wind colliding with surrounding matter.

The international team measured X-ray and optical light polarization, finding identical angles across wavelengths which is strong evidence that a single mechanism drives the emissions. This discovery challenges prior models of neutron star radiation and deepens our understanding of pulsar evolution, energy output, and the exotic environments surrounding these stellar remnants.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

💰 Know Your Grad School Funding: GTA vs. GRA vs. Fellowship

Not all grad school funding is created equal. Whether you're applying to a program or already enrolled, understanding these three major types of support can help you make smarter choices for your finances and your future:

• GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistantship): You teach lab sections, grade papers, or lead discussions for intro courses. GTAs earn a stipend and tuition waiver but may have less time for research.

• GRA (Graduate Research Assistantship): You get paid to do research towards your thesis or dissertation. GRAs usually come from a professor’s grant and are common for progressing your academic goals.

• Fellowship: This is the gold standard. Fellowships give you money without work requirements, so you can focus 100% on your research. They’re competitive, but winning one boosts your CV and freedom.

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Today’s Theme: What’s Happening Wednesday

This Week in Science: Smarter Glucose Predictions with AI and Privacy in Mind

🧠 Personalized Diabetes Monitoring Gets a Privacy-First Upgrade

Researchers funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation have developed an AI-powered system that predicts blood sugar levels more accurately without compromising personal data. Using a technique called federated learning, the system trains across many users’ devices, keeping health data private while improving accuracy in real time.

To personalize results, the AI groups patients by carb intake patterns, boosting prediction quality even with limited data which is a major win for newly diagnosed users. Early tests using FDA-approved simulators show promising results, and future updates aim to factor in exercise and medication, extending this privacy-preserving tech to other chronic conditions like heart disease and asthma.

With diabetes costing the U.S. over $300 billion annually, this research shows how publicly funded science can fuel smarter, safer healthcare solutions for millions.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

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