This post is disconcerting and epitome of HN Critical thinking gone mad. So, how much is fine, is it OK to spend 10K, 20K or 50K, 100K from personal funds? The research money most likely is covering the Research Lab costs. The RAs of the lab put the money from their pockets. HN crowd has attracted this thankless-savant grade find the hole in the story types, no good deed goes unpunished.