What’s Happening Today!

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

Louisiana State University is now accepting applications for its Summer REU in Smart Polymer Composite Materials & Structures! Undergraduates in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science can join a 10-week program working on cutting-edge polymer research. Participants will gain hands-on lab experience, mentorship from LSU faculty, and a $7,000 stipend plus housing, dining, travel support, and summer conference opportunities.

Shifting to biomedical science, new research published in Nature reveals that common respiratory infections—like influenza and SARS-CoV-2—can awaken dormant cancer cells in the lungs, potentially driving metastasis years after initial tumors were treated. Clinical data reflected these findings: in cancer survivors, a positive SARS-CoV-2 test nearly doubled the risk of cancer-related death, and breast cancer patients who contracted COVID-19 showed ~40% higher risk of lung metastasis.

Upcoming Opportunities

🧵 Smart Polymer Composite Materials & Structures in Summer 2026

The NSF-funded REU in Smart Polymer Composite Materials & Structures gives undergraduates a 10-week, hands-on research experience in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. Students will work with faculty mentors on cutting-edge projects, explore research facilities, develop professionally, and present their work—all while preparing for careers in research or graduate study.

📅 Program Details

• Award: $7,000 stipend + free housing + travel reimbursement + dining card + summer conference opportunities

• Program Dates: May – August 2026

• Location: Louisiana State University (in-person)

• Apply Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• Enrolled in a two- or four-year undergraduate program

• GPA of 3.0 or higher

• Strong interest in research and/or graduate school

⚠️ 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

🦠 Respiratory Viruses May Awaken Dormant Cancer Cells

New research in Nature reveals that common respiratory infections—like influenza and SARS-CoV-2—can reawaken dormant cancer cells in the lungs, potentially driving metastasis years after a patient’s initial tumor has been treated.

In mouse models of breast cancer, both flu and COVID-19 infections triggered a surge in previously silent disseminated cancer cells (DCCs). Blocking IL-6 or depleting CD4+ T cells reduced tumor growth.

Clinical data echoed the lab findings: in cancer survivors, a positive SARS-CoV-2 test nearly doubled the risk of cancer-related death, and breast cancer patients who contracted COVID-19 saw a ~40% higher risk of lung metastasis.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

⏰ Study Ahead, Stress Less: The Power of Early Exam Prep

Exams don’t sneak up out of nowhere—you usually know they’re coming weeks in advance. The earlier you start studying, the more you spread out the workload and the less you panic-cram the night before. Here’s how to make advance prep work for you:

• Plan Backwards: Look at the exam date and map out small review sessions leading up to it. Even 20–30 minutes a day adds up.

• Chunk the Material: Break big topics into smaller, manageable pieces. Instead of “study Chapter 5,” aim for “review glycolysis pathway” or “practice 5 calculus problems.”

• Test Yourself Early: Use flashcards, practice questions, or old exams right away. Active recall shows you what you know and what needs more attention.

• Build Review Loops: Revisit tough topics every few days. Spaced repetition strengthens memory way more than cramming.

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Today’s Theme: What’s Happening Wednesday

This Week in Science: Could Floss One Day Replace Needles?

🧠 Your Brain Might Burn Fat to Keep Firing

Researchers at North Carolina State University are exploring a novel way to deliver vaccines—through dental floss. By coating floss with vaccine molecules and using it on the gums’ junctional epithelium, they successfully triggered strong immune responses in mice against influenza, protecting them from otherwise fatal infections.

Early human tests with floss coated in fluorescent dye showed the approach could deliver compounds into gum tissue effectively and was well-received by participants. If developed further, floss-based vaccines could offer a painless, needle-free alternative that’s easy to distribute and doesn’t require refrigeration, potentially transforming vaccine delivery worldwide.

The team notes more research is needed to test efficacy in humans, children, and those with gum disease, but the results mark an exciting step toward simple, practical vaccination.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

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