Questions and Answers

Why haven't I heard of this program before?
Simple. The "Be a Gene Researcher for a Week" program is new.

Where will I be placed if I am selected to be a Gene Researcher for a Week?
In most cases, you will be placed in a lab that is geographically closest to your home town. For example, a student living in Brandon, Manitoba would be placed in Winnipeg. A student living in Saint John, New Brunswick would be placed in Montreal.

Does CIHR/CGDN run a similar program for teachers?
Unfortunately, we do not run a similar program for teachers.

Does CGDN/CIHR Institute of Genetics cover travel expenses for students who will be required to travel to a gene research lab? (e.g. students in Saskatchewan and the Maritimes)
Yes! We will cover travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for students who are required to travel to one of our gene research labs.

What accommodations will students receive during the program?
We will billet the student or offer to place them in a hotel during the week of the program.

Does CGDN provide financial assistance to parents who wish to travel with their siblings?
Unfortunately, we do not provide financial assistance to the parents or legal guardians of students selected into the program. Parents are welcome to travel with the students at their own expense.

If selected into the program, will I have to make my own travel arrangements.
We will make travel arrangements for those who request it. This is especially useful for students having to travel via air. Our experience is that students having to travel short distances (e.g. by bus or car) have chosen to make their own arrangements.

What kind of clothes should I wear in the lab?
A scientific laboratory is a place of work and you will be handling controlled substances such as chemicals, dyes, gels, and E. coli bacteria. While relatively safe to handle, these substances can stain and ruin clothing. We recommend casual clothing such as jeans, khakis, slacks, collared shirts, t-shirts, sweaters, etc.

What kind of footwear should be worn in the lab?
Footwear should protect your feet and not restrict your mobility in the lab. Open-toed shoes and sandles are not permitted in the lab. Sneakers, runners, cross-trainers, casual shoes, doc martins, etc. are appropriate footwear in the lab.

Can I wear contact lenses into the lab?
NO! Solvents such as ether and acetone can dissolve contact lenses and/or fuse them to your eyes. You should wear glasses instead of contact lenses into the lab.

How do I get reimbursed for expenses incurred during the program.
Keep all of your receipts. At the end of the program, submit your receipts to the program manager. It generally will take 3-4 weeks for you to receive a check in the mail.

Do I need to have prior laboratory experience to be considered for this program?
No! Previous laboratory experience is not required. We want bright candidates who are profoundly interested in science!