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How to Make over $6k Researching Microbial Biofilms

How to Make over $6k Researching Microbial Biofilms

Dive into a 10-week NSF-funded REU with free housing, a $6,000 stipend, and hands-on lab experience at Binghamton University.

Joseph Sampson
July 21, 2025 • 8 minutes

What’s Happening Today!

Welcome to a daily drop from That Black Chemist!

Today’s spotlight is the REU in Microbial Biofilms at Montana State University!
Funded by the NSF, this 10-week paid summer research program invites undergraduates to explore microbiology, engineering, and biofilm behavior alongside top scientists. With free housing, a $6,000 stipend, and hands-on lab training, it’s an amazing opportunity for students curious about infectious disease, bioreactors, environmental microbiomes, or even the built environment.

Over in space, astronomers just witnessed a baby planet forming in real time.
Using the Very Large Telescope in Chile, scientists spotted a glowing clump of gas and dust in the process of coalescing into a planet, about 500 light-years away in the star system HD 169142. This rare view into planet birth gives us clues about how worlds like Earth may have formed and how gas giants like Jupiter grow in the early stages of a solar system.

And if you love memes, stay tuned through the end!

Upcoming Opportunities

🦠 REU in Microbial Biofilms at Binghamton University

Join a 10-week NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Binghamton University, where you'll explore the structure, resistance, and behavior of microbial biofilms which are fascinating collections of microbes that affect medicine, the environment, and industry.

Participants conduct hands-on lab research, receive personalized mentorship, and attend workshops on grad school, career prep, and science communication. The program ends with a campus-wide research symposium where you’ll showcase your work.

📅 Program Details

Program Dates: Late May - Early August, 2026
Application Deadline: Fall 2025 [Check the website for updates]
Format: In-person, full-time research
Host: Binghamton University, Department of Biological Sciences
Funding: $6,000 stipend + on-campus housing + travel support
Apply Online: [Search Here]

✅ Eligibility

U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Current undergraduate student (returning Fall 2027)
Must have completed at least 1 year of college by Summer 2026
Majoring in biology, chemistry, engineering, or other related fields

⚠️ 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

🪐 Baby Planet Shrinking Under Intense X-Ray Assault

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has observed a dramatic transformation of an infant exoplanet, TOI 1227 b, located 330 light-years from Earth. Once the size of Jupiter, this “baby planet” is rapidly losing its thick atmosphere as X-rays from its red dwarf host star strip away its mass at an extreme rate.

Just 8 million years old, TOI 1227 b is one of the youngest planets ever observed in transit. Orbiting extremely close to its star, it's being bombarded by high-energy radiation that could cause it to lose two Earth masses and shrink to a tenth its current size within a billion years.

Scientists estimate the planet is currently shedding the equivalent of an Earth’s atmosphere every 200 years, making its long-term habitability impossible. This rare look at planetary evolution offers insight into how high-energy radiation shapes young worlds.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

🧠 Academia vs. Industry — Choosing the Right Path After Graduation

Many STEM grads feel pressure to choose the “right” path after their BS or MS: grad school or a job in industry. But the best choice depends on your personality, values, and career goals, not what others expect.

Here’s a breakdown to help you think clearly:

Academia = Depth + Discovery: If you love diving deep into unanswered questions, writing papers, and contributing to knowledge for its own sake, academia might suit you.
Industry = Speed + Impact: Prefer clear goals, collaboration, and seeing your work in action? Industry moves faster, rewards results, and focuses on delivering usable products or solutions.
Do I Like Building or Theorizing More?: Both are valuable but your fulfillment depends on whether you enjoy experimentation and iteration over long-form thinking and publishing.
Money, Stability, and Work-Life Balance: Industry usually wins here. Academia can be fulfilling, but the path to a permanent job (professor or PI) is long and uncertain.