Healthy Volunteer Studies
If you would like to participate in health research as the healthy volunteer, below is a list of studies accepting healthy volunteers.
Aging and Information Processing
Lead Researcher: Robert Chapman
The purpose of our study is to better understand functional differences in brain activity
between healthy aging and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease.
To do this, our lab uses a noninvasive and inexpensive technique to collect brain
measurements called electroencephalogram (EEG). By recording EEG while participants
do certain memory and other cognitive tests, we can link specific brain signals by
brain location and time to cognitive activities (such as trying to memorize a stimulus).
We collect the EEG, as well as traditional pen-and-paper cognitive test results, from
participants every year. Using these brain measurements, we aim to discover differences
between the healthy aging brain and brains struck by age-related cognitive disorders.
Combining different brain measures together may help us develop better tests for these
disorders.
View Study Details
An EEG Study of Auditory Perception in People with and without Schizophrenia
Lead Researcher: Judy Thompson
The purpose of our study is to better understand how the brain processes sounds, including
speech. We are investigating this in people with and without psychiatric conditions.
One of our primary aims is to determine how these processes may relate to specific
experiences and symptoms in conditions such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder,
and schizophreniform disorder, with the goal of using this knowledge to develop more
effective treatments. In order to study how the brain processes sounds, we use a technique
called electroencephalography, or EEG. For EEG, a person wears a comfortable elastic
cap with sensors attached to it that are able to record brain activity. In these sessions,
subjects listen to short audio clips while EEG is recording; this allows us to measure
brain responses to sounds. This study also includes interviews about current and past
psychiatric symptoms and treatment, as well as a few short tasks, questionnaires,
and a hearing test. The study typically involves 4-5 visits, with each about 2-3 hours
long. Subjects are paid $30 an hour, as well as a $30 bonus if they complete all study
activities. Transportation costs are also covered, and free snacks are provided.
View Study Details
BEGIN - A Breastfeeding Study
Lead Researcher: Bridget Young
This study will enroll 120 breastfeeding mothers into a study that lasts between 1-4
months postpartum. Mothers will collect a small breast milk sample very single day
and store it in their freezer for researchers. They will also collect samples from
their infant including urine and stool from the diaper. All sample collections are
done in the home.
View Study Details
COVID-19 Vaccine Studies
Lead Researcher: Ann Falsey
URMC is studying several variations of a COVID-19 vaccine. Compensation: $500-$900.
Participation Requirements: Age 18+; Have not been infected with COVID-19. To volunteer,
take our survey to find out if you qualify: https://redcap.urmc.rochester.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=XHH9MC8RMK
View Study Details
Development of Personal Choice in Adolescents
Lead Researcher: Loisa Bennetto
In this online study, a parent and their adolescent will independently complete brief
surveys. The adolescent will complete their survey first, and it may take up to 15
minutes. Afterwards, the parent will complete their survey, which may take up to 20
minutes. We hope this research will lead to expanding resources that support autonomy
and independence as adolescents transition into adulthood.
View Study Details
Longitudinal Subtyping Of Atopic Dermatitis Through Skin Analysis
Lead Researcher: Lisa Beck
This is a study which will characterize the gene expression
profiles that underlie mild and moderate-severe Atopic
dermatitis (AD). It will determine changes in these expression patterns in
response to standard-of-care treatment. Participants will complete up to ten study
visits
with assessment of topical steroid response and dupilumab response (if uncontrolled
with
topical steroids). Skin samples will be collected at all study visits to determine
the gene
expression profiles that underlie mild vs. moderate-severe atopic dermatitis.
Healthy participants without atopic dermatitis will serve as a control population
and must agree to apply a topical moisturizer (Vanicream) at least twice daily for
7 days.
Atopic dermatitis patients must have chronic AD with active lesions.
View Study Details
Lung Health Cohort
Lead Researcher: Sandhya Khurana
Because lung function reaches its peak level between the ages of 25-35 years old,
we are beginning our study with people only in this age range. If you are in this
age range and have no history of chronic (i.e. long-lasting) lung diseases - other
than mild asthma - and no history of cardiovascular disease, you may be eligible to
join this study. This study involves a combination of in-person exams (during a single
visit), at-home tasks, and remote contact (via video conference, text message, email,
phone, or mail). During the in-person visit, we will test your lung function, take
images of your chest (CT scans), and ask you to provide biospecimen samples (blood,
urine, and nasal samples). There is an at-home portion to this study where you will
wear an activity monitor for one week, and you will perform breathing tests at home.
We will follow-up with you remotely every 3 to six months (up to 4 times per year)
until the end of the study.
View Study Details
Neuro COVID
Lead Researcher: Giovanni Schifitto
We are recruiting individuals 65 or older to learn more about how Covid impacts our
brains!
COVID is caused by a virus that enter many cells including cells of blood vessels.
This can make vessels leaky and in the brain this leakage can cause inflammation.
The damaged blood vessels are also more likely to form blood clots, causing tiny strokes.
The purpose of this study is to understand if after initial COVID infection these
leaky brain vessels fully recover or remain permanently damaged. If you decide to
take part in this study, you will be asked to come to the Clinical Research Center
(CRC) at URMC three different times: Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months - and you
will participate in two telephone calls over a 2 year period. At the baseline visit,
there is a blood draw and testing to assess your memory, attention, and movement (approximately
2.5 hours) as well as an MRI (approximately 1.5 hours). At the 12 month visit, there
is a blood draw and memory tests. At the 24 month visit, there is a blood draw, memory
testing, and an MRI.
View Study Details
PRG Contact Database
Lead Researcher: Brian Keane
This future contact database will facilitate contact with prospective subjects, giving
them greater opportunities to participate in behavioral and neuroimaging studies for
which they may be eligible.
View Study Details
Puerto Rican Parent-Child Feeding Interactions Study
Lead Researcher: Susan Groth
Parents will be asked to complete a series of surveys in Spanish that include questions
about their cultural values, parenting style, and feeding practices. We will also
ask questions about their feeding interactions with their child and collect height,
weight, and waist circumference measurements for both parent and child. Eligibility:
1) Identify as a Puerto Rican parent; 2) Have a 2-5-year-old child; 3) Be the child’s
primary caregiver; 4) Be responsible for feeding this child; 5) Be fluent in Spanish
View Study Details
Spoken Language Comprehension in Adolescents
Lead Researcher: Loisa Bennetto
In this online study, an adolescent will schedule a Zoom appointment with a researcher
and complete a computer-based listening study that may take up to 45 minutes. The
parent will then complete background information surveys, which may take up to 20
minutes. Participants will be compensated via an electronic gift card. We hope that
this research will lead to a better understanding of everyday spoken language communication
and social interactions in adolescents with and without autism.
We are currently recruiting adolescents aged 13-17 without autism.
Please make sure to add an email address so that we can contact you!
View Study Details
Text Messaging Program to Support Latino Young Adults in Quitting Vaping
Lead Researcher: Francisco Cartujano
All participants will receive a 12-week text messaging intervention. Participants
will be asked to complete a baseline survey and a follow-up survey 3 months after
enrollment. Eligible individuals self-identify as Latino, are 18-25 years old, and
currently use electronic cigarettes. An active cellphone with unlimited text messaging
capability is required to participate.
View Study Details