What’s Happening This Week!

Welcome to a weekly drop from That Black Chemist!

Coe College is welcoming undergraduates from across the U.S. to apply for its NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. This paid summer research opportunity runs from early June through the end of July and offers students hands-on research with faculty mentors across a range of disciplines. Participants receive a competitive stipend, free on-campus housing, travel support, and the chance to build real research experience.

Meanwhile, new biomedical research is uncovering a surprising way the nervous system protects itself from pain. Scientists found that support cells surrounding sensory neurons can transfer healthy mitochondria directly into neurons through tiny cellular nanotubes. Restoring healthy mitochondria, either through support cells or direct transfer, significantly reduced pain in animal models, pointing to a potential new strategy for treating peripheral neuropathy.

Stay tuned for more science updates and opportunities from That Black Chemist!

Upcoming Opportunities

🔬 NSF REU at Coe College – Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity

Coe College is hosting an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program that offers students a full-time, immersive summer research experience across a range of scientific disciplines. Participants work closely with faculty mentors on planned research projects, gaining hands-on experience while building research, communication, and professional skills in a supportive academic environment.

📅 Program Details

• Application Deadline: February 6 (before midnight)

• Duration: Approximately June 1 – July 31, 2026

• Stipend: $5,835

• Housing: Free on-campus housing provided

• Travel Support: Funds available to assist with moving expenses

• Format: In-person, mentored undergraduate research

• Register Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• Undergraduate students interested in summer research

• Strong encouragement for students from underrepresented groups, first-generation students, and those from institutions with limited research opportunities

⚠️ 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

🧠 Power Sharing Between Cells: How Mitochondria Transfer May Stop Nerve Pain

Scientists found that satellite glial cells, which support sensory neurons near the spinal cord, can transfer healthy mitochondria directly into neurons through thin cellular bridges called tunneling nanotubes. This mitochondrial handoff helps restore energy, reduce pain sensitivity, and protect nerve function.

The study uncovered a key player in this process: MYO10, a motor protein required to form these nanotubes. When MYO10 levels drop, mitochondrial transfer breaks down and pain sensitivity increases. Remarkably, restoring healthy glial cells or even injecting healthy mitochondria into damaged nerves reversed pain in mouse models.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Everyone Sucks at Math—Until they do Science!

It Only takes 3-4 Weeks to Master Algebra for Science & Engineering!

The hardest part about math isn’t the raw calculations: it’s understanding what the math means when rearranging and graphing functions. Many high school algebra and precalculus courses don’t train students to interpret the math from a qualitative perspective which is why many students who are ‘good at math’ struggle in introductory chemistry, physics, and engineering courses.

That’s why I’ve created the Ultimate Algebra Guide for Science & Engineering Majors which covers all of the relevant concepts from algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus courses that are applicable for science & engineering majors condensed into a 700+ page guide!

You will learn how to graph functions with Desmos and GeoGebra before diving into hundreds of pages detailing the relevant math notes along with application-based problems seen in introductory science and engineering courses.

• Click here to access the Ultimate Algebra Guide for Science & Engineering!

Click Here to Access the Algebra Guide!

Confused About Class? Click Here to Book a Tutoring Session with Me!

Tip of the Week

⏱️ Study Smarter, Not Longer: Why Short, Frequent Sessions Win

Grinding for hours feels productive but learning sticks better when you study often, not endlessly. Short, repeated sessions work with your brain’s biology, helping you retain more while burning out less.

• Leverage Spaced Repetition: Revisiting material over multiple days strengthens memory far more than cramming it all at once.

• Lower the Barrier to Starting: A 30–45 minute session is easier to begin than a 4-hour block, which means you’re more likely to stay consistent.

• Protect Focus and Energy: Attention drops fast in long sessions. Short bursts keep your brain sharp and reduce diminishing returns.

• Turn Forgetting Into a Tool: Each study session forces recall, which is exactly what helps information move into long-term memory.

• Build Momentum, Not Exhaustion: Consistency compounds. Studying a little every day beats heroic all-nighters every time.

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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: The quantum wave function describes the probability that a particle carries a certain velocity.

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