In-person Research at
CCIR Lab in Silicon Valley

All CCIR student researchers enrolled after October 15, 2025 can reserve the CCIR Lab.

To access the lab, you must complete and submit the Lab Access and Experiment Approval Form, and receive approval from the lab committee. 

Additionally, you must attend an online safety training session before being granted access. This process ensures there are no biological risks and prioritises your safety.

In addition, on the date you visit the lab, if you are underage, your guardian must accompany you to the facility and remain there for the duration of your time in the lab. Although guardians are not permitted to enter the lab, they may stay in the designated conference room or visitor areas.

In general, we recommend completing your experiment in a single day. All experiments must be approved by the facility committees and evaluated for potential biological risks to ensure safety. For certain experiments, the details will be reviewed not only by the facility but also by the relevant governmental authorities.

However, if you require multiple days to complete your experiment, you could also indicate this in the Lab Access and Experiment Approval Form.

The West Coast Lab is part of a large, professional research facility at VRP Labs Campus in Mountain View, with access to shared spaces and private lab rooms. On CCIR lab days, the space is reserved for our student researchers. If more than one student reserves the same day, you may share the lab under supervision of our on-site PhD-level lab manager.

Yes, whenever a CCIR student researcher reserve the lab for use, we will make sure that there will be a professionally trained biologists or a PhD scientist who can supervise the students’ usage of the lab. 

You cannot walk into the lab without prior arrangements on lab days. All students must reserve lab space in advance and complete the required safety ratification process and training.

Student researchers could use the lab independently, but researcher under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The guardian must stay nearby for the entire lab visit, but cannot enter the lab due to biosafety reasons. They may observe from behind the glass outside the lab in the adjacent conference room.

Yes, you can still reserve for the lab, but you will need to have a sufficient outline of your project in place to complete the application process.

Lab access is available up to six months after completing the CCIR programmes.

Students intending to participate must submit a Laboratory Access and Experiment Approval Form at least 1.5 to 2 months before their intended lab use date. Additionally, students are required to complete an online safety training session. This timeline ensures sufficient time for a comprehensive review by both CCIR and the facility, guaranteeing compliance with safety protocols, feasibility, and research quality. Certain experiments may also require approval from relevant governmental authorities.

The CCIR Academics Team will assist CCIR student researchers throughout the lab application process, providing guidance and support to ensure the application is complete and aligns with all requirements.

On lab day, it is essential to arrive on time. If you are underage, you must be accompanied by a guardian for the entire duration of your time at the lab. While guardians may not be permitted to enter the lab, they should remain in a nearby area or observe from behind the glass outside the lab in the adjacent conference room..

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by 1-2 biologists who will guide you through the lab environment and provide essential safety instructions. Once the orientation is complete, you may proceed with your experiment. The on-site biologists will be available to assist with any questions you may have regarding the equipment or the facility.

You should focus on developing the best project possible for your research area, rather than pursuing something just because it sounds more prestigious. It’s important to prioritize the quality and relevance of your project to your work.

Meanwhile, with the power of computational tools and machine learning, and the availability of data, you can undertake impactful projects without needing access to a physical lab. 

Students interested in exploring STEM concepts without the need for a lab environment for their own projects are encouraged to select from a list of pre-approved experiments in the lab. These experiments provide an opportunity to delve deeper into STEM subjects and maybe spark new research passions. 

We have developed a selection of pre-approved lab projects designed to allow students at any level to engage with and learn about advanced life science laboratory research. If you are interested in participating in these projects, please contact the CCIR Academics Team for more information.

While lab access is free, there may be additional costs for your transport, food, and accommodation. However, CCIR can secure special researcher rates for materials to help reduce expenses. Please plan accordingly for these potential costs.

Depending on the experiment the researcher is conducting, there might be additional materials fees (please see the next question).

On the Laboratory Access and Experiment Approval Form, you can include a list of materials you wish to use for your experiment. CCIR can order and secure special researcher rates for the materials. However, researchers are responsible for covering the additional cost of the materials.

However, it is not mandatory to purchase materials through CCIR. If you prefer to procure the materials yourself or if your school lab can provide the required items, you must specify the source and list the materials you intend to bring to the lab on the Laboratory Access and Experiment Approval Form. 

Access is limited to the areas assigned for CCIR student use. Some common facilities and conference areas may be available, but access to other labs will require prior approval.