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Project Onramp: Opening Doors to Life Science Careers for Underrepresented Students

Project Onramp: Opening Doors to Life Science Careers for Underrepresented Students

Empowering low-income undergraduates with paid biotech internships, mentorship, and real-world experience to diversify the future of healthcare and innovation.

Joseph Sampson
July 01, 2025 • 6 minutes

What’s Happening Today!

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

Today we’re spotlighting Project Onramp, a national initiative opening doors for low-income undergraduates to land paid summer internships in the life sciences. Built on equity, mentorship, and long-term career building, this program connects talented students with industry-leading biotech companies, helping shape a more diverse and inclusive scientific workforce from the ground up.

Next, we’re diving into a new NIH study exploring how hormone therapy may influence breast cancer risk in women under 55. You’ll learn why some therapies raise risk while others reduce it and how this research is reshaping clinical guidance for younger women navigating menopause and surgery-related hormone shifts.

Upcoming Opportunities

🧬 Project Onramp Opens Paid Summer Internships in Life Sciences

Project Onramp is expanding access to the life sciences industry by matching first-gen and low-income undergraduates with paid summer internships at top biotech and pharmaceutical companies across the U.S.

The program offers more than just experience, it opens doors to mentorship, networking, and long-term career possibilities in human health and medical innovation.

📅 Opportunity Highlights

Paid internships in the life sciences (open to science and non-science majors)
Career development workshops and networking with industry professionals
High-touch mentorship and peer support
Internships reserved specifically for Onramp students (no industry connections required)
Website: [Project Onramp]

✅ Eligibility

Undergraduates from low-income backgrounds
U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Students with a strong interest in healthcare, biotech, or 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

🧬 Hormone Therapy May Influence Breast Cancer Risk in Younger Women

A new NIH study reveals that hormone therapy before age 55 could either lower or raise breast cancer risk depending on the treatment type.

Researchers found that women using unopposed estrogen therapy (E-HT) had a 14% lower risk of developing breast cancer, especially if they began earlier or used it longer. In contrast, those on estrogen plus progestin therapy (EP-HT) had a 10–18% higher risk, especially without a prior hysterectomy or oophorectomy.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

💸 Think Twice Before Going Into Debt for Grad School

While grad school can open doors, it can also lead to years of financial insecurity if you don’t plan ahead of time. Unless you're attending professional school (like med, law, or dental), taking on major debt for a master’s or PhD may not be worth it. Here’s why:

💰 ROI Matters: Many academic grad programs don’t lead to high-paying jobs right away. Taking on loans without a clear return can leave you financially stuck.
🎓 Funding Exists: Strong applicants can often find stipends, fellowships, or assistantships—especially in STEM. If it’s not funded, ask yourself why.
🔍 Explore Alternatives: Some employers will pay for your grad degree later, or you might gain the same skills through certificates, work experience, or self-study.
📉 Avoid Financial Stress: Grad school is already mentally intense: don’t add loan anxiety to the mix unless it’s truly worth the investment.
📊 Professional School = Exception: If you're heading to med school, law school, or a similar high-earning path, loans can pay off—but even then, borrow wisely.

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Today’s Theme: TikTok Tuesday

Tuesdays are better than Mondays, right?

Let’s enjoy an awesome TikTok watching this user perform a DIY physics experiment at home!