What’s Happening Today!

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

Arizona State University is now accepting applications for its Summer REU in Solar Energy Research! Undergraduates in engineering, chemistry, physics, and related fields can join a 9-week program working on cutting-edge solar technologies. Participants will gain hands-on lab experience, mentorship from ASU faculty, and a $6,000 stipend plus housing and travel support.

Moving on to space, NASA is moving full steam ahead with preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years. Scheduled to launch no earlier than September 2025, the mission will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey to test life-support systems and spacecraft performance.

Upcoming Opportunities

🧪 Designing Greener Reactions in Arizona

The NSF-funded REU in Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis at Arizona State University offers undergraduates a 10-week, hands-on research experience focused on environmentally friendly chemical transformations. Students will work with faculty mentors in ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences to design and optimize green catalysts, feedstocks, and solvents, while gaining professional development and networking opportunities for careers in academia, industry, or beyond.

📅 Program Details

• Award: $6,000 stipend + free housing + up to $1,000 travel reimbursement + $500 dining credit

• Program Dates: May 2026 – July 2026

• Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

• Format: In-person

• Application Deadline: February 2026

• Apply Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• Current freshmen, sophomores, or juniors

• Students from all chemistry-related backgrounds encouraged, no prior research experience required

⚠️ 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

🚀 Artemis II Astronauts Train Inside Orion for Historic Moon Mission

For the first time in 53 years, astronauts are preparing to journey around the Moon—and NASA’s Artemis II crew just got hands-on with the spacecraft that will take them there. During a multi-day training at Kennedy Space Center, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen suited up, boarded the powered-on Orion capsule, and rehearsed launch-day procedures and in-orbit scenarios.

The suited crew test simulated critical conditions, preparing them for the real-time problem-solving experience with Orion’s life-support and communications systems. Switching to cleanroom gear for the crew equipment interface test, they practiced daily in-flight tasks like accessing storage, adjusting cabin space, and using onboard cameras and environmental controls.

By training in the exact hardware they’ll fly, the crew and support teams are fine-tuning every detail before their early 2026 mission—one that will pave the way for future lunar landings and, eventually, the first human missions to Mars.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

📒 Study Like a Scholar: Get the Most Out of Your Textbook

Your textbook isn’t just a stack of pages—it’s your built-in tutor for the semester. Used right, it can boost your grades, deepen your understanding, and save you hours of stress before exams. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Preview Before Class: Skim the chapter headings, subheadings, and key terms before lecture. This primes your brain to connect new information to what you already know.

• Annotate as You Go: Highlight sparingly, write quick margin notes, and add your own examples. This turns passive reading into active learning and makes review sessions way easier.

• Use End-of-Chapter Tools: Practice problems, summaries, and review questions are there for a reason. Treat them like mini-quizzes to check if you actually understand the material.

• Revisit After Class: After lecture, reread tough sections and link your notes to the textbook’s explanations. You’ll reinforce concepts while they’re still fresh in your mind.

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Today’s Theme: What’s Happening Wednesday

This Week in Science: A New Disease Discovery You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

🧠 Your Brain Might Burn Fat to Keep Firing

For decades, scientists thought your brain only ran on sugar. But new research shows neurons can also tap into fat droplets for fuel when glucose is scarce.

The key player is an enzyme called DDHD2, found in high amounts at synapses, the communication hubs between neurons. DDHD2 breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids, which mitochondria can then use to generate energy during periods of high activity.

When DDHD2 is missing or blocked, fats build up in neurons—a clue that this fat-fueled energy cycle is constantly running in a healthy brain. Disruptions in this process may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, where fat accumulation in neurons has been observed.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

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