What’s Happening Today!

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

Today’s spotlight is the University of Kansas’ Climate Change & Environmental Research REU. This 10-week, NSF-funded summer program brings undergraduates into cutting-edge projects on ecosystems, atmospheric science, and environmental resilience. Students receive a $7,000 stipend, housing, travel support, and one-on-one mentorship from KU faculty—all while contributing to research with global impact.

Next, NIST researchers are developing wearable medical devices that could one day detect dangerous conditions like pulmonary edema before symptoms become severe. Using radio-frequency sensing and advanced computational lung models, these devices could alert patients and doctors in real-time, potentially saving lives and transforming how chronic conditions are managed.

Thanks for staying around for another awesome week of internship, scholarship, and research information from That Black Chemist!

Upcoming Opportunities

🌪️ Building Pathways to Community Disaster Resilience REU

Kansas NSF EPSCoR’s ARISE (Adaptive and Resilient Infrastructures driven by Social Equity) program is offering a 9-week paid Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) focused on safeguarding communities from disasters. Students will work with faculty mentors on projects in disaster planning, infrastructure resilience, and community engagement—integrating local knowledge to create practical, equitable solutions.

Participants will gain skills in science communication, data analysis, and collaborative research, while exploring career and graduate school pathways.

📅 Program Details:

• Award: $7,000 stipend + free housing & campus meal plan

• Duration: May – August 2026

• Location: Kansas State University, University of Kansas, or Wichita State University

• Application Review Begins: Feb. 2026 (until all 12 spots are filled)

• Link: [Register here]

✅ Eligibility

• U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident

• Completed at least 1 year of college

• Enrolled at a 2- or 4-year institution (not graduated with a bachelor’s degree)

• All majors in STEM, social sciences, and related fields welcome—priority to Kansas students

⚠️ 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

🩺 Wearable & Implantable Devices Could Transform Health Monitoring

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are developing next-generation wearable, implantable, and ingestible medical devices that could give patients and doctors real-time insights into critical health conditions—such as detecting pulmonary edema before it becomes life-threatening.

The work involves advanced computational models to simulate how wireless signals travel through the body, factoring in variables like breathing and fluid buildup. These models help design safe, reliable devices for users.

Beyond monitoring individual patients, NIST’s research supports standardization so future medical IoT devices can work seamlessly together, empowering patients to take a more active role in their care. While prototypes and clinical trials are still ahead, the ultimate goal is to improve quality of life through connected, preventative health care.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

🔬 Buy Experimental Materials Through Your School

Ordering your own lab supplies might seem faster, but purchasing through your school can save you money, time, and headaches. Here’s why it’s the smart move:

• Stretch Your Research Budget: Universities often have bulk purchasing agreements or tax exemptions that make materials significantly cheaper than retail.

• Access Better-Quality Supplies: School-approved vendors typically meet higher quality and safety standards than consumer sellers.

• Avoid Reimbursement Delays: Buying directly through the school’s system means you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket and wait weeks to get reimbursed.

• Stay in Compliance: Many research materials require special shipping, handling, or legal documentation—things your school’s purchasing team is equipped to manage.

Subscribe to explore daily research opportunities!

Today’s Theme: Fact or Fiction Friday

Congratulations on making it through the work week! Ready to test your science savvy?

👇🏾 Vote if you think the statement below is fact or fiction and tell us why in the comments!

Statement: Exothermic chemical reactions take in more energy than they release.

📩 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!