For the past five years, Bechara Saab, a CIHR-funded PhD candidate, has inspired youth to think about potential scientific futures. Mr. Saab, who is based at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital (a University of Toronto-affiliated research centre), is currently involved in a variety of activities that are specifically designed to motivate youth to learn about science.

In 2002, Mr. Saab became involved with SLRI's youth outreach program, SciHigh, where high school students get involved in hands-on experiences, including the DNA of a banana and the nature of transgenic mice. In 2005-06, he helped to both coordinate and participate in 17 SciHigh school visits - which amounts to more than any other volunteer associated with the activity. Mr. Saab also served as a leader in Science Day neurobiology workshops at the Lunenfeld. In association with Pathways to Education^TM, SciHigh ensures that underprivileged Grades 11 and 12 Toronto-based students understand how neurons communicate with one another in the brain.

Mr. Saab proved to be valuable at other Lunenfeld outreach programs, including scientific workshops for Grade 9 students at the annual Take Your Kids to Work Day, the mentorship of one high school summer intern at the Institute, and a neurobiology workshop for Lunenfeld's designated Science Days for high school students.

Dr. Alan Bernstein, outgoing President of CIHR, and Mr. Bechara Saab, winner of the CIHR Synapse Youth Mentorship Program Award, at the sixth annual Canadian Health Research Awards ceremony, on November 20, 2007 at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.