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

Today we’re spotlighting Boston University’s Bioinformatics Diversity Travel Fellowship, a fully funded opportunity for prospective PhD applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. This award covers travel, lodging, campus tours, and a PhD application fee waiver. A must-see if you’re applying to PhDs in bioinformatics, systems biology, or computational biology this fall!

Next, we’re featuring a TED Talk by physicist Jeff Phillips, who breaks down the concept of entropy: what it means, why it matters, and how it explains everything from your messy bedroom to the end of the universe.

And finally, let’s dive into the story behind the discovery of penicillin. What started as an accident on a petri dish led to one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in history, ushering in the antibiotic era and saving millions of lives.

Upcoming Opportunities

🧬 BU Bioinformatics Diversity Travel Fellowship

Boston University is offering a fully funded travel opportunity for prospective PhD students in bioinformatics, computational biology, or systems biology through its Bioinformatics Diversity Travel Fellowship.

This program supports individuals underrepresented in science by covering the cost of transportation, hotel, and related expenses for a campus visit to BU. Recipients will also receive a waiver for the PhD application fee.

During the visit, you'll get the chance to:

• Tour Boston and BU’s vibrant research campus

• Meet with faculty and current PhD students

• Learn about cutting-edge research in genomics, systems biology, AI & data science integration, and more

Ideal for students planning to apply for Fall 2026 PhD programs, this is your chance to build meaningful connections and experience one of the nation’s top bioinformatics programs up close.

🧫 Fellowship Details

• Location: Boston University, Boston, MA

• Timeline: Applications open between August-October 2025

• Who Should Apply: Juniors, seniors, recent grads, or post-baccs planning to apply to PhD programs in 2026.

• More Details: [Learn More Here]

⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know

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

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Scientist’s Scroll

🔥 Understanding Entropy: The Hidden Arrow of Time

Entropy is the measure of how energy spreads across atoms, and it explains why some process go forward—like ice melting, cream mixing into coffee, or air escaping a tire.

In this TED-Ed talk, Jeff Phillips debunks the common notion that entropy is just “disorder” and introduces the concept of microstates. Microstates describe the possible ways energy can distribute itself in a system, with a greater number of microstates causing the overall entropy to increase.

Tip of the Day

📒 Stay Organized with Two Notebooks Per Class

Struggling to find that one formula or example from weeks ago? It might be time to upgrade your system. Here’s a simple but powerful tip to stay focused and save time in STEM courses:

• 📓 Notebook #1 - Lecture Notes: Use this notebook to take detailed, in-class notes. Write down definitions, diagrams, and explanations directly from your professors so you have a clear record of what was covered.

• 📔 Notebook #2 - Homework & Practice: Use a second notebook solely for homework, problem sets, and study sessions. This keeps your practice organized and separate from lecture content, making it easier to review before exams.

✅ Why it works:

• Keeps clutter to a minimum.

• Makes reviewing way faster.

• Helps track your progress on tough topics.

• Reduces stress when you need to find specific info quickly.

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Today’s Theme: Throwback Thursday

🧫 Alexander Fleming and the Accidental Birth of Antibiotics

In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find a mold growing on his petri dishes of Staphylococcus, a mold that mysteriously killed the surrounding bacteria. That mold was Penicillium notatum, and its secret weapon was the world’s first true antibiotic: penicillin.

Fleming’s “mold juice” could kill dangerous bacteria like Streptococcus and Diphtheria, but he struggled to isolate it in pure form. It wasn’t until a team at Oxford University, led by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, perfected the extraction process in 1939 that penicillin went from lab curiosity to life-saving drug.

Before penicillin, even minor cuts could be fatal. Afterward, hospitals emptied of septic patients, and the age of antibiotics was born.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

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