The Research Cat meme features a focused feline wearing laboratory safety goggles, often appearing to conduct complex experiments or analyze data. While similar to other academic memes, this format specifically highlights the humor of looking professional while being completely lost. It became a viral sensation among students and scientists who use the image to joke about failed experiments, confusing peer reviews, and the general trial-and-error nature of the scientific method. The cat's intense stare through the goggles perfectly captures the 'fake it till you make it' energy of modern research.