Contact us

We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Feel free to reach out with any question regarding the program or the application process.

Faculty of Medicine​, University of Ottawa

Roger Guindon Hall
451 Smyth Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1H 8M5

Carleton University, General Campus

Carleton University,
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1S 5B6

University of Calgary, Main Campus

2500 University Dr NW
Calgary, AB
Canada T2N 1N4

For questions about our courses, please contact our managers.

Dr. Noha Ismail

Project coordinator
brightcanada@ottawa.ca

Dr. Jean-François Couture

Project director
brightcanada@ottawa.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the BRIGHT-Canada FAQ section. Below you will find answers to common questions about our training program, research modules, and how to get involved.

BRIGHT-Canada stands for Bringing Radiobiology Innovations to Grow the Highly Trained workforce in Canada. It is a unique NSERC CREATE training program designed to develop a new generation of highly qualified personnel (HQP) equipped with expertise in radiobiology to support Canada’s nuclear energy, medical, and space sectors.

The program is led by the University of Ottawa in collaboration with Carleton University and the University of Calgary. We also partner with government agencies like Health Canada and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), as well as industry and non-profit organizations like TRIUMF and the CANDU Owners Group (COG)

Our primary goal is to address the declining expertise in radiobiology by providing an integrated, interdisciplinary training environment. We aim to enhance scientific understanding of the risks associated with radiation exposure and improve radiation protection for patients, workers, and the public.

The program is open to undergraduate students, Master’s (MSc) students, Doctoral (PhD) students, and Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs). We aim to train approximately 132 participants over the course of the program.

The training is built on four foundational pillars:

  1. Leading-edge knowledge-based courses: Specialized graduate courses in radiobiology fundamentals.
  2. CNL Internships: 4-6 month hands-on internships at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
  3. Annual Retreats: Platforms for trainees to present research and network with international experts.
  4. Seminar Series: Regular seminars featuring national and international speakers from academia and industry.

Yes. A large majority of our activities are offered asynchronously or via videoconference to accommodate trainees who need flexible hours, such as parents or caregivers.

In addition to technical expertise, trainees participate in workshops focused on science communication, project management, leadership, EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) competency, and entrepreneurship

Trainees can participate in one of four specialized research modules:

  • Terrestrial Radiation and Radon: Investigating the risks of long-term radon exposure.
  • DNA Damage Repair and Genome Engineering: Studying how cells respond to and repair radiation-induced DNA damage.
  • Radiation and Immunometabolism: Analyzing the impact of low-dose radiation on the immune system and metabolic processes.
  • Space Radiation: Understanding the biological effects of cosmic rays and neutrons for future space missions.

EDI is a core principle of our program. We use inclusive recruitment strategies, provide personalized mentorship, and offer unique funding supports for trainees with family or caring responsibilities to ensure that no one is left behind.

Graduates are well-prepared for careers in:

  • Government: Health Canada, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
  • Industry: Nuclear energy (e.g., Bruce Power), radiopharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics.
  • Non-Profit: TRIUMF, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
  • Academia: Pursuing roles as professors, researchers, or research professionals.

Prospective trainees should first contact a BRIGHT-Canada co-applicant or principal investigator at one of our partner universities (uOttawa, Carleton, or uCalgary) to discuss potential research projects and supervision.

For general inquiries about the program’s operations and administration, please contact our Project Coordinator and Manager, Dr. Noha Ismail, at the University of Ottawa.

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