Research Studies at Penn State Seeking Volunteers

Researchers seek women to participate in group discussions regarding vaginal products to prevent HIV transmission

Our research team is conducting research on the consumer acceptability of novel microbicides to prevent HIV transmission for use by women. Consumer opinions will help scientists create new products that women can use to prevent HIV transmission.

Researchers seek to interview Mobile Phone Users with Vision Or Mobility Impairment

The primary purpose of this research is to determine the needs in a mobile phone for people with vision or mobility impairment. We are looking for 15 recruit individuals age of 19 - 66 with vision or mobility impairment. This includes individuals with legal blindness, total blindness, upper/lower limb disability, and etc. The research will consist of a simple interview that will take up to 1 - 2.5 hours. The interview will be conducted by Human Factors researchers from Penn State University and will be used only for basic research purposes.

Mothers and children (age 6-8) sought for participation in a research study

Child development researchers are inviting mothers with children aged 6-8 for a research study on parent-child communication. Participation entails a one-time visit to campus with your child.

Ovewrweight volunteers needed for research on workplace lifting

We are extending an invitation to research volunteers between 20 and 34 years of age to participate in a Human Factors research study intended to explore the effects of obesity in lifting capacity, in the form of added weight and increased girth in the body. We are in need of overweight individuals who are willing to participate. Overweight will be determined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal or greater than 25.0. Eligible participants will be asked to lift several objects under certain postures and conditions, to be revealed the day of their participation and have the opportunity to learn proper ways of lifting heavy objects, as well as the maximum weight they can lift for extended periods of time. There will be a $10 compensation upon completion of participation. There will also be an eligibility screening before the actual experiment, as participants should not suffer from any musculoskeletal conditions or pain in the following body parts: neck, back, upper extremities, heart. For more information and to schedule your participation, please email Lorna Cintron: lrc166@psu.edu

Researchers seek women to participate in group discussions regarding vaginal products to prevent HIV transmission

Our research team is conducting research on the consumer acceptability of novel microbicides to prevent HIV transmission for use by women. Consumer opinions will help scientists create new products that women can use to prevent HIV transmission.

Researchers seek participants who know only English for a study on language processing.

We seek people who speak English but do not know any other languages for a study on language processing (despite the title of the research study). Qualified participants are those who speak English, but have minimal knowledge of another language (e.g., do not use another language on a daily basis; have not taken past level 003 of a Penn State language course). Preferably, participants will have no knowledge at all of Spanish. This study investigates how sentences are processed by people who know one language. Participation consists of reading sentences in English and naming word aloud.

Researchers seek men and women for a skin blood flow study

Men and women needed between the ages 18-30 and 60-85. 5 visits to Noll Laboratory will be required. The purpose of the study is to investigate age-related differences in regional sweating and skin blood flow.

Researchers seek men and women for a breakfast study.

The Food Lab, part of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State, in 226 Henderson is looking for male and female volunteers between the ages of 20 - 45 to participate in a human feeding research study. The study involves having breakfast one day a week for 4 weeks in our lab in Henderson Building. In addition to the free meals, there will be monetary compensation of up to $20. To hear more, please call Jen @ 863-8482.

Researcher seeks students raised in military families for study on home and mobility

A researcher at Penn State is looking for undergraduate students raised in Army and Air Force families to participate in a study on residential mobility and home. Those meeting the eligibility requirements will be asked to annotate a map of their residential history and answer interview questions about their experiences of moving and their ideas about home.

Researchers seek men for low dose aspirin study

Purpose of the study: To investigate the effects of low dose aspirin on the control of skin blood flow in humans.

Male participants needed for a cholesterol skin blood flow study

Researchers seek men or women who know or suspect they have or have a family history of high blood pressure

Researchers seek participants who know Spanish and English for study on language processing

This study investigates how sentences are processed by people who know two languages. Specifically we seek participants who have learned Spanish as a native language and who know English as a second language. Participants will read sentences in English and Spanish and will name words aloud

Seeking parents of children with autism age 5 to 12

Researchers from the Child Study Center at Penn State are seeking children with autism spectrum disorders or other language difficulties to participate in our study of how children learn figurative language ("raining cats and dogs").

Researchers seek right-handed individuals for study on handedness

We propose that the dominant and nondominant arms are specialized for different features of movement control. For example, nondominant arm does have advantages for some specific tasks like holding a loaf of bread while slicing it. The purpose of this research is to define mechanisms that underlie handedness.

Seeking Healthy Infants and Mothers

Researchers in the Nutritional Sciences department at Penn State University seek healthy 3-6 month-old infants and their mothers for a study to test nutrient accumulation and excretion. The study requires a brief screening questionnaire over the phone to determine eligibility, and one visit to our lab lasting approximately 60 minutes. Infants are eligible if between 3-6 months of age, if part of a singleton birth (not a twin, triplet, etc.), and if fed a majority infant formula or a majority breast milk. Mothers are eligible if 18 years or older, if able to attend one visit to the laboratory at the Penn State University Park Campus, if fluent in English, and if confident in their knowledge of the infant’s primary feeding method. Both mother and infant must be eligible in order for the pair to participate in the study. Compensation will be provided. For more information, please call Stephanie, the study coordinator, at (814)863-9692 or e-mail at smr381@psu.edu.

Healthy participants sought for study of omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation

Participants sought for a study examining the role of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing the inflammatory response to a non-living bacterial agent. The DREEM (Dose Response of EPA+DHA in an Endotoxemia Model) Study is looking for healthy, non-smoking, normal weight individuals aged 20-45 years with no history of diabetes, or heart disease. Subjects should not be taking anti-inflammatory medications, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, or consume >3 to 4 servings of high omega-3 fish per month. Participants will be required to consume capsules daily for approximately 20 weeks and spend one 10 hour stay at the CRC. If you fit these criteria and would like to participate in this study, please call 1-814-863-8622 or email DREEMstudy@gmail.com. Mention the DREEM Study and leave your name and a contact number. Subjects will receive blood test results and compensation of $200.

Participate in a study on language processing in the brain!

This study investigates how languages are processed in the brain in bilingual speakers, or in people who study a second language. Specifically, Functional Magnetic resonance (fMRI) is used as the technique to research language processing and language localization in the brain. During the study participants will name pictures in while laying in the MRI scanner.

Researchers seek female participants for personality study

Healthy women are needed as comparison participants in a research study that may yield important information about the brain’s contribution to certain psychological difficulties and help psychologists develop better treatments for individuals with severe mental health problems. The Laboratory for Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy Research seeks healthy women between the ages of 18 and 50 to participate in the “Physiology of Interpersonal Interaction” study at the Penn State University Psychological Clinic. Eligibility for the study is first determined based on a brief online questionnaire, and eligible participants will receive $12 an hour for participation in the laboratory.

Participants needed for Avocado study

Participants needed for a diet study examining the effects of avocados on the levels of fat in your blood. They are looking for healthy, non-smoking adults aged 21-70 years of age who are not taking cholesterol lowering medication. Subjects will be provided with all food and drinks for 17 weeks at the completion of the study will receive lab results and monetary compensation. If you are interested in learning more about the study, please call toll free 1 866-PSU-DIET(1-866-778-3438) or email psudiet@gmail.com, mention the Avocado Study and leave your name and a contact number. This study is being conducted by Penny Kirs-Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition at Penn State University, and her research team.