Do you want to help scientists with their research? From time to time, researchers put out calls for volunteers to assist them with moving their projects forward. Whenever I come across an opportunity for Canadians to participate in tick-borne illness research, I'll list them below. Here are a few current opportunities. Updated June 1, 2021

McMaster University Midwifery Research Centre - Health Outcomes of People with Lyme Disease During Pregnancy

McMaster University in Hamilton, ON is conduct a survey focussing on the perinatal transmission of Lyme disease. Anyone who has been pregnant while exposed to Lyme disease is invited to participate regardless of where they reside.

Manitoba Lyme & Tick Borne Illness Group Lyme and Tick Borne Illness Survey

Any Canadian who has been impacted by Lyme disease is encouraged to fill out this confidential survey. Its goal is to lay the foundation for a more comprehensive survey participants can elect to fill out later this year.

Queen's University Online Survey

If you are Canadian, over 18 years old, and have been bitten by a tick, Emilie Norris-Roozmon, a graduate student in the biology department at Queen’s University, is inviting you to fill out an online survey describing your symptoms, experiences with healthcare practitioners, and any diagnoses you may have received in relation to your tick bite.

New Brunswick Tick Proofing Project Seeking Volunteers

Public assistance in research initiatives is solicited by the New Brunswick Tick Proofing Project on an ongoing basis and opportunities vary depending on research needs. Currently, submissions of cat-caught small mammals and birds are being sought from the public. Hunters are also asked to submit meat donations from recent kills.

eTick.ca Photo Submission Platform

You can submit photos of your ticks to the eTick.ca photo submission platform for expert identification. An eTick app is available on Apple's App Store and GoolePlay, so you can now submit a photo in real-time. The growing dataset will benefit scientific research.

Lloyd Tick Lab & Geneticks Canada

The university based Lloyd Tick Lab has partnered with the private lab Geneticks Canada to offer tick identification and testing services. Anyone can send photos of ticks to the Lloyd Tick Lab for identification for free, if your interest is simply to know the identity of the tick you've encountered. Ticks can also be sent in for testing by Geneticks Canada, which will test for multiple tick-borne pathogens for a fee based on which (or how many) pathogens you want the tick tested for.

Janet Sperling, Tick Researcher, University of Alberta

Anyone can submit ticks that will be used in microbiome research. Send email to get details.
Email: infsper@telus.net