What’s Happening Today!

Welcome to a fresh drop from That Black Chemist!

The Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NASA Tournament Lab have launched Seal Team Fix, a $575,000 challenge to design rapid-deploying seals for failed dam conduits. Engineers and innovators are tasked with creating solutions that can stop uncontrolled water surges, safeguard hydropower, and protect millions of people in the American West.

Meanwhile, NIH-funded research is shedding light on how repeated head impacts in contact sports trigger brain changes long before chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) develops. A Boston University–led team found significant neuron loss, microglial activation, and blood vessel changes in athletes under age 51. These early cellular warning signs may pave the way for better diagnosis and prevention strategies to protect athletes.

Upcoming Opportunities

🚧 Engineer Rapid Seals for Dam Safety with Seal Team Fix

The Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NASA Tournament Lab have launched Seal Team Fix—a $575,000 prize challenge to design rapid-deploying seals that can stop uncontrolled water flow through failed dam conduits. Winning solutions must reduce flow by 95–98% under extreme hydraulic conditions, safeguarding water, power, and communities across the American West.

📅 Program Details:

• Phase 1 (Concept Design): Submit a white paper by Oct 14, 2025. Up to 5 winners receive $50,000 each.

• Phase 2 (Prototype Development): Selected teams build and test scale prototypes (Dec 2025–Apr 2026). Prize pool up to $225,000.

• Phase 3 (Lab Demonstration): Hydraulic lab testing of solutions (May–Nov 2026). Top prize up to $75,000, plus innovation awards.

• Link: [Apply here]

✅ Eligibility

• Aged 18+ at the time of Phase 1

• Open to engineers, fabricators, innovators, and problem-solvers worldwide

• Teams must propose deployable, safe, and adaptable solutions for 3–25 ft conduits

• No diver-based installations or reliance on trash racks allowed

⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know

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

• 🎓 Pathways to Science: List of paid internships and research opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. (Search here)

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

• 🧠 NASA Pathways Internship: Multi-semester internship involving different career paths at NASA (Link).

🌍 International Opportunities

• 🧲 Pathways to Science: List of upcoming internships, scholarships, and research programs hosted by the U.S. [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)

📤 Share This with a Friend in Need!

Like What You See? Subscribe for More Daily Content!

Scientist’s Scroll

🧠 Repeated Head Impacts Trigger Early Brain Damage in Young Athletes

An NIH-funded study has revealed that repetitive head impacts from contact sports can cause early neuronal loss and inflammation long before chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) develops.

Researchers analyzed postmortem brain tissue from athletes under 51, most of whom played football, and found a 56% loss of specific neurons in impact-prone brain regions. The study also showed increased activation of microglia (immune cells) and molecular changes in blood vessels, including signs of oxygen stress and abnormal growth.

These findings highlight that significant brain damage can occur years before traditional CTE pathology emerges. By uncovering these early cellular warning signs, the research points to new avenues for diagnosing, preventing, and treating brain injury in young athletes exposed to repeated impacts.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

📅 Balance Your Load: Picking the Right Semester Workload

Every semester, you’ll face the choice between stacking tough classes or mixing in easier ones. The right balance can set you up for both success and sanity:

• Know Your Limits: If you’re juggling research, work, or leadership roles, a lighter academic load may keep burnout at bay.

• Plan Strategically: Pair one or two challenging courses with electives or requirements that play to your strengths.

• Think Long-Term: A brutal semester might look impressive, but consistency across all semesters matters more for your GPA and mental health.

• Flex When Needed: Some semesters may call for a push; others may be about recovery. Adjust based on where you are and what’s ahead.

• Protect Your Energy: Time is your most valuable resource so make sure to use it wisely so you can perform well and stay healthy.

Subscribe to explore daily research opportunities!

Today’s Theme: Throwback Thursday

🌱 Mendel’s Pea Pods: The Birth of Genetics

In the mid-1800s, a quiet Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel began an experiment that would change biology forever. Growing thousands of pea plants in his monastery garden, Mendel meticulously tracked traits like flower color, seed shape, and pod texture across generations.

To his surprise, traits didn’t blend as many scientists believed. Instead, they followed predictable ratios: dominant and recessive patterns that reappeared with mathematical regularity. From round vs. wrinkled peas, Mendel deduced the existence of genes, which are “invisible units of inheritance”.

His work went unnoticed for decades until it was rediscovered around 1900, laying the foundation for modern genetics, heredity, and even today’s biotechnology. From pea pods to DNA sequencing, Mendel’s garden experiments reshaped our understanding of life itself.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

📩 Like this post? Share it with a friend!

🤔 Got a news article or tip to share? Reply and I might feature it!

💰 Donate to support my project: ko-fi.com/thatblackchemist

📅 Subscribe to ‘That Black Chemist’ for more daily posts!

Recommended Newsletters

Thanks for Reading to the End!

If you enjoyed this article, you’ll enjoy these newsletters too!