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Explore Movement in the Rainforest with Jungle Biomechanics Research
Undergraduates can spend 10 weeks studying how plants and animals navigate complex jungle environments while earning a stipend, housing, and travel support.
What’s Happening Today!
Welcome to a daily drop from That Black Chemist!
The Jungle Biomechanics REU is now recruiting undergraduates for Summer 2026. Students in biology, engineering, and related fields can spend 10 weeks studying how plants and animals move through complex rainforest environments. Participants receive a stipend, housing, and travel support while conducting field and lab research that could inspire innovations in robotics, prosthetics, and conservation strategies.
Meanwhile, NASA’s Perseverance rover has achieved a milestone on Mars by generating enough breathable oxygen to support a small dog for 10 hours. This breakthrough, made with the MOXIE instrument, demonstrates the feasibility of producing life-sustaining resources on Mars for future human missions.
Upcoming Opportunities

🦋 Jungle Biomechanics Lab in the Amazon Rainforest
The NSF-funded Jungle Biomechanics Lab (NSF IRES 2246236) offers a two-week immersive field research experience at Finca Las Piedras in the Peruvian Amazon. Participants will study the biophysics and biomechanics of rainforest organisms while exploring robotics, ecology, and physics in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Students and postdocs will develop independent research projects, collaborate with U.S. and Peruvian scientists, and engage in local science outreach.
📅 Program Details
Application Deadline: March 2026
Program Dates: July – August 2026
Location: Finca Las Piedras, Peruvian Amazon
Duration: 2 weeks
Funding: Fully funded (travel, housing, and program costs covered)
Register Here: [Website]
✅ Eligibility
Open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs
Backgrounds in biology, physics, engineering, ecology, mathematics, or related fields
Highly motivated with interest in biomechanics, field biology, and robotics
⚠️ 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)
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Scientist’s Scroll

🪐 Perseverance Rover Finds Potential Biosignature in Martian Riverbed
NASA’s Perseverance rover has identified a possible biosignature in a rock sample named “Sapphire Canyon” from Jezero Crater’s ancient river valley, according to a new Nature study. The rock, rich in clay, silt, and organic carbon, revealed distinct “leopard spots” made of minerals like vivianite and greigite—compounds that form through microbial activity on Earth.
The findings suggest Mars may have supported microbial life later in its history than previously thought. While abiotic processes could also explain the mineral patterns, the peer-reviewed analysis marks one of the strongest cases yet for past life beyond Earth. Further study will be critical to confirm or rule out biology as the source.
Let Me Help You!
As a Former STEM Major, I Get it!
Classes like Organic Chemistry, Calculus 3, and Classical Mechanics are very rigorous for any student learning for the first time and it may seem impossible to succeed. Fortunately, you don’t need more brains—you need a system to help you succeed and ace these courses.
That’s why I’ve created a study guide detailing the strategies I’ve invented and adopted to score top of my class repeatedly in my chemistry, physics, and math courses at the high school and undergraduate level!
I’ve also included in this guide a template for you to help organize and structure your classes each semester.
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Tip of the Day

🧹 Clean Space, Clear Mind
A tidy lab isn’t just about appearances: it keeps your work safe, efficient, and reproducible. Here’s how to clean smarter:
Declutter Daily: Put away chemicals, glassware, and tools after use to prevent accidents and contamination.
Wipe Surfaces: Regularly disinfect benches to protect experiments (and yourself) from unwanted microbes.
Label & Store: Clearly mark reagents and samples; proper storage avoids mix-ups and wasted time.
Check Equipment: Clean balances, pipettes, and fume hoods because these small messes can cause big errors.
Set a Routine: Build 5–10 minutes of cleanup into your workflow so it becomes second nature.
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Today’s Theme: TikTok Tuesday

Tuesdays are better than Mondays, right?
Let’s enjoy an awesome TikTok learning about a huge step towards obtaining a cure for HIV!
@rapidscience Still water is scary! 🔬🦠 #stillwater #scary #amoeba #science #parasite #biology #microscopic #danger #fyp
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