Researchers in various studies looking for participants

Here is a list of research studies that currently are looking for participants.

Age effects on neural representations of shape, space, and attention

Researchers are recruiting healthy adults for a brain imaging study directed by Anne Sereno, principal investigator and professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences. The purpose of the study is to understand the way that the brain processes shape and location information of object images.

Individuals may be eligible if they:

• Are age 21-40 or 56-75.
• Have no history of traumatic brain injury or neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision.

Individuals will receive a $30 Amazon gift card for participating in the 1.5-hour study. If interested, fill out the survey to check eligibility or email lee4873@purdue.edu for more information. IRB-2023-1496.

Printer noise evaluation

Participants are needed for a sound quality research project. Eligible participants should be age 18-65 and have normal hearing without the use of a hearing aid (volunteers’ hearing will be tested before starting the test).

Participant activities will include a one-hour test session. Participants will listen to different sounds and describe them verbally and rate them on a scale, and/or rank, select or answer questions about them. Participants who complete the test session will receive $20. Those who do not pass the hearing test will receive $10.

The principal investigator is Yangfan Liu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. To volunteer, contact Jinghe Yu at yu1140@purdue.edu and list times that you are available. For more information, contact Liu at 765-496-6714 or yangfan@purdue.edu. IRB-2024-884.

Parent-Adolescent Interaction Project

Researchers in the Biobehavioral Development Lab are looking for two-parent (mother and father) families with an adolescent child aged 9-13 years, all able to speak English. The study includes two, approximately two-hour lab visits starting between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. any day of the week – one with the mother and teen, and one with the father and teen occurring about one week apart – and a daily diary (approximately 10 minutes/day) for 14 days.

The goal of the study is to see how parent-adolescent relationships affect the mental health and well-being of children. Researchers aim to learn about how parents and pre-teens feel, act and even biologically (stress hormones, heart rate, breathing) respond together during conversations — in similar ways or in opposite ways — and how what happens during conversations translates into daily patterns and parents’ and teens’ mental health and well-being. The information gathered in this study is intended to be used to develop ways to help improve parent-adolescent relationship quality and adolescents’ well-being.

Each participant will receive $30 per lab visit (cash) and $5 per daily diary (Amazon gift cards). Families completing both lab visits and all 14 days of the daily diary will receive $130 for the child and $100 for each parent.

For more information, visit the study website or email bdl@purdue.edu and mention “The Parent-Adolescent Interaction Project.” To check eligibility, take this survey. The principal investigator is Kristine Marceau, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. IRB-2023-1734.

Effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on sensory systems and ingestive behavior

This study, funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, aims to explore how medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists — commonly prescribed for diabetes and weight management — may impact taste, smell and eating behaviors. Results from this study may help develop improved dietary guidelines for those using these medications.

What to expect:

• In-person visits: Two sessions at Purdue, each lasting around one hour
• At-home tasks: Three days of dietary tracking and questionnaires to complete at home

Eligibility:

• Men and women ages 18-65 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) >30 kg/m²
• Stable medication use
• People who:
  • Are eligible to take GLP-1 drugs but haven’t started treatment yet
  • OR who have been taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management for approximately 1 month (±0.5 months)
  • OR approximately six months (±0.5 months)
• No known sensitivity or allergy to the study solutions, which include sucrose solution, salt solution, citric acid solution, urea solutions, linoleic acid and milk

The research team will ask participants about their allergies and note that all test substances are common ingredients in the U.S. diet.

Participants will receive $100 for completing the study, with $50 provided for each session attended. The principal investigator is Richard Mattes, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Nutrition Science.

Those with questions or who want to express interest in participating can contact Giorgia at grutigli@purdue.edu or 765-421-0205. IRB-2024-1407

Health effects of grain foods in adults

Participants are needed by the Department of Nutrition Science to study the health effects of grain foods.

Participants must:

• Be age 18 and older
• Have a hemoglobin A1c of 5.7%-6.4%
• Be a nonsmoker
• Have no sensitivity or allergy to grain foods

Participants can earn up to $1,000 in 14 weeks. Contact Giorgia at grutigli@purdue.edu to participate or for more information. The principal investigator is Richard Mattes, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Nutrition Science. IRB-2023-1071

Summer research: Word learning study for children with speech-language delays

The Child Language Lab is looking for 4- to 5-year-old children with language delays for a summer research program in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. The program will run from 8:45-11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday for four weeks (June 17 to July 10) at Lyles-Porter Hall.

Each day, the children will receive one hour of language therapy from clinical supervisors and students, spend 30 minutes doing activities such as crafts and play, and participate in research activities for one hour. The research is investigating how children learn new words.

There are approximately 13 sessions: one to two initial testing sessions and 11 research sessions during the summer program. Families will be paid $15 for each of these sessions; children receive a small toy at each visit. There is no compensation for the child’s participation in the therapy and play activities (and no fee is charged).

Researchers are scheduling eligibility testing now and will continue through early May. The principal investigator is Laurence B. Leonard, the Rachel E. Stark Distinguished Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

For more information, contact Pat Deevy at 765-496-1821 or deevy@purdue.edu, or visit www.purdue.edu/hhs/ChildLanguageLab. IRB-1603017480.

Effects of mental tasking on balance testing

Individuals ages 18-30 are needed to participate in a study on the effects of mental tasking on clinical vestibular testing using cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs). Participants should have normal hearing or hearing loss that is not conductive, no history of migraines or balance difficulties, and no history of head trauma. Researchers intend to enroll up to 40 participants.

Participants will be paid $15 for one session, lasting about one hour. The study will be conducted in Lyles-Porter Hall. Individuals must be able to come to the site to participate. The principal investigators are Alexander Francis and Melissa Newell in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

For more information or to schedule a time to participate, contact Danielle Smith at dkratze@purdue.edu. IRB-2024-729 

Study on how perimenopausal menorrhagia affects women’s quality of life and cognitive function

The Department of Nutrition Science is conducting a study to investigate the relations among nutrition, brain function and quality of life in women who are experiencing heavy blood loss as they transition to menopause.

Those interested are required to complete a brief screening via phone. Eligible participants will visit the Purdue Clinical Research Center in Stone Hall to complete questionnaires and computer tasks about quality of life, mood, family relationships and brain function at the beginning and end of the study (four months later). They will also undergo a small blood draw (less than 0.5 tablespoon) at the beginning and end of the study. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups (intervention or placebo) and will consume either an iron supplement or a placebo daily between the beginning and end of the study.

The study’s principal investigator is Laura Murray-Kolb, professor and head of the Department of Nutrition Science. For more information, contact Julia Choi, graduate student, at DrMurray-KolbLab@purdue.edu. IRB-2024-506

Attention and stroke study

Researchers in the LaCroix ABC Lab are looking for healthy adults for an attention study.  The study has two sessions that last up to two hours each. 

Individuals may be eligible to participate if they:

• Are 40 to 75 years old.
• Have normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing.
• No diagnosis of neurological or attention disorders.

Participants will receive $20 per hour.

If interested, email abclab@purdue.edu and mention “Attention and Stroke Study” or call 765-494-2435 for more information.  The principal investigator is Arianna LaCroix, assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. IRB-2022-1324.

Effect of lactose free A1/A2 milk and lactose free A2/A2 milk on gastric discomfort, gut inflammation and gut microbiome in lactose intolerant human subjects

The Department of Nutrition Science is conducting a study to see how dairy intolerant individuals will respond to milk containing different types of protein.

Participants must be healthy, nonsmoking males or females ages 18-65 who are not allergic to milk but believe they are lactose intolerant or avoid milk. Other criteria for study participation apply. This study will consist of a hydrogen breath test, blood withdrawal and self-collection of stool samples. Participants will be required to come to Stone Hall for three visits. Participants will receive $350 for completing the study.

Those interested in participating should contact Sathya Sujani at simaduwa@purdue.edu or 540-449 5205. The principal investigator is Dennis Savaiano, the Virginia C. Meredith Professor of Nutrition Policy. IRB-2024-1469.

Baby exploration project

Researchers are inviting families with babies up to 2-years-old in the West Lafayette-Lafayette and surrounding areas to participate in a study of how babies explore their home environment.

A researcher will visit participants at home for two to three hours while families and the baby go about daily activities. Participants will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

For more information visit www.baby-exploration-project.org. To sign up, contact Paige Thompson at motordev@purdue.edu.

The principal investigator is Laura Claxton, associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Purdue IRB# 2021-1249/ NYU IRB# FY2021-5660.

Multimodal approaches to testing and prediction in early academic achievement: English skills in Grade 2 children 

Purdue LitLang Lab is recruiting children currently enrolled in Grade 2 to participate in a research study investigating children’s English skills. 

This is a fully remote study where children will be asked to complete a series of online tasks related to English skills. This study will be done in two remote sessions. The first session will be scheduled and will take place over a Zoom. The second session will take place remotely and will be completed independently, without the need for videoconferencing. A parent or guardian must be present during both sessions to facilitate the child’s participation. 

The parent or guardian will receive a $10 gift card for their child’s participation, and each child will receive a small toy. 

For more information and to sign up, email litlang@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Catherine McBride, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Family Science. IRB-2024-626.

Study on sensor-based estimation of nutrition and surrounding environment

Researchers need adult volunteers ages 18 and older to try a new mobile app and wearable device that records what they eat.

The purpose of this study is to test a mobile, image-based application and a wearable sensor to record the foods and beverages consumed in a day, and then complete an online dietary survey about the foods and beverage consumed over the same period of time.

The study will take around three days to complete, and participants will receive a maximum of a $40 gift card as compensation. Participants will also be asked to visit campus twice for about an hour each time to learn about the devices they will be using and wearing and to answer questionnaires.

More information about the study is available online or by emailing sensestudy@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Maggie Zhu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. IRB-2022-270.

Understanding associations between rural food environments and microbial cysteine metabolism as risk factors for early onset colorectal cancer

Researchers in the Department of Nutrition Science are doing a research study to learn more about bacteria and items people put in their mouths, like food and tobacco products, and how where people live impacts the food they have access to. 

This study may be a good fit for if you:

• Live in a county with less than 50,000 residents OR live over 10 miles from your nearest grocery store
• Are 18-80 years old
• Are not pregnant
• Are willing to complete two 24-hour dietary recalls
• Are willing to provide informed consent
• Are willing to provide five water samples and a stool sample

Individuals will have the option to participate in this study in-person or virtually. Individuals who take part in the research study will:

• Do a phone screening to learn more about the study
• Have their height and weight measured
• Complete several surveys about health, diet and experiences
• Provide a stool sample
• Collect five water samples from their home

In-person participants will come to Purdue twice: one research visit and one stool sample drop-off.

Participants will receive a $25 Visa gift card as compensation for their time and reimbursement for travel. Participants will also have the option to receive information about lead content in their water.

To learn more about this research, contact Patricia Wolf at 765-496-0143 or wolflab@purdue.edu. The principal researcher for this study is Patricia Wolf, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition Science. IRB-2024-366.

Effect of native chicory inulin supplementation on rates of microbial change between individuals

Participants are needed by the Department of Food Science to study the effects of inulin supplementation on rates of microbial change between individuals. 

Researchers are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:

• Nonsmoking males and females ages 18-45.
• Bowel movements more than four days per week.
• Willing to consume dietary supplements for six weeks followed by a six-week follow-up phase.
• Willing to provide frequent stool samples (daily, bi-daily, weekly, and bi-weekly) throughout all blocks.
• Willing to provide blood samples nine occasions (participants will be required to refrain from consuming any food the night before; they may still drink water during this time, but no other fluids).
• Willing to complete daily bowel habit, mood and frequent food diaries. 

Participants have the potential to earn up to $350 to compensate for their time. To take part or find out more information, contact Peter Jackson at ppjackso@purdue.edu or 765-409-9789. The primary investigator is Stephen Lindemann, associate professor in Department of Food Science. IRB-2024-154.

Study on receiver, vehicle, and roadway systems for a dynamic wireless power transfer roadway testbed

Researchers are looking for adult residents in Indiana, specifically the Greater Lafayette area, to participate in a research study focused on understanding public perceptions and expectations regarding electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging, and a dynamic wireless power testbed project.

Participants will be asked to complete an online questionnaire survey of about 5-10 minutes in Qualtrics, which consists of questions related to perceptions about electric vehicles, charging technologies, and a dynamic wireless power transfer testbed, as well as some basic demographic information. The principal investigator is Nadia Gkritza, professor of civil engineering and agricultural and biological engineering. For more information, email nadia@purdue.edu. IRB-2023-786.

Brain imaging to measure human-dog interaction

Purdue Animal Behavior Research is recruiting dog owners and their dogs for a study investigating human-animal interaction. In this study, healthy adult dog owners will undergo a laboratory inducing stress test during two separate visits that are three to six weeks apart. The owner will interact with both a familiar and unfamiliar friendly dog during the post-stress test recovery period as the researchers evaluate the owner’s brain response and a stress response salivary cortisol test. Researchers will also observe the owner’s dog behavior and physiological response to analyze how the dog processes the human-dog interaction.

To be eligible to participate:

• Individuals must have been their dog’s companion for 6+ months, ages 18-55, have no circulatory/panic issues, and not on specific meds.
• Dogs must be friendly and calm (no aggressive behavior or severe separation anxiety), ages 1-12 years, over 15 pounds and with no major health issues affecting activity.

Participants will receive $50 at the completion of the two study visits. The primary investigator is Niwako Ogata, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. For more information, contact the research team at pabcr@purdue.edu. IRB 2022-1283

Validation of biomechanics component of SimulScan and aging study

Researchers are recruiting healthy adults for a swallowing and brain study directed by Georgia Malandraki, principal investigator and professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

Individuals may be eligible if they:

• Are 18-30 or 60-85 years old and generally healthy.
• Do not have problems swallowing.
• Are willing to come to the lab for a free swallowing evaluation and a free brain MRI.

Individuals will receive up to $40 for participating. If interested, email swallowinglab@purdue.edu or call 765-496-0207 to check eligibility and for more information. IRB-2023-714.

Combining high intensity interval training (HIIT) and mindfulness for enhanced executive function in children

The Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health (PANCH) Laboratory from the Department of Health and Kinesiology is looking for generally healthy, English-speaking children ages 10-12 with normal or corrected-to-normal vision to participate in research on how exercise may influence thinking and brain function. 

To participate in this research, children need to pass a cardiovascular health screening, be free of prior diagnosis of cognitive disorders, have normal or corrected-to-normal vision, be able to perform exercise, and speak English. 

Participation in this research requires five visits on separate days to Lambert Fieldhouse. Each visit will last 2-2.5 hours. The first visit will involve computer games and a fitness test. The additional visits will involve health-related and demographic questionnaires, interval exercise, and recording of brain waves using techniques such as electroencephalogram (EEG). Participation in this study will be compensated by a maximum total of $300.

Click this link to fill out the screening questionnaire. For more information, email panchlaboratory@purdue.edu or call 765-496-7781. Shih-Chun Kao, assistant professor of health and kinesiology, is the principal investigator. IRB-2023-1684.

In vivo tendon properties across the lifespan of women

The purpose of the study is to characterize tendon tissue health in women, laying a foundation for developing strategies to improve their musculoskeletal function. Researchers are seeking women ages 21-75 to participate in a study evaluating the impact of menopause and exogenous estrogen use on tendon morphology and biomechanics. To participate, participants must meet the following criteria:

• 21-75 years old.
• Women who are pregnant will be excluded.
• Individuals with claustrophobia or implanted objects (metal plates, screws, etc.) who cannot complete an MRI assessment will be excluded.
• Individuals with any orthopedic condition that would prevent them from properly performing knee extensions will be excluded.
• Individuals with prior knee replacement or knee surgeries (e.g. ACL reconstruction) will be excluded.
• Those with diabetes (HbA1c>6.5) will be excluded.
• Chronic users of acetaminophen, ibuprofen or prescription cyclooxygenase inhibitors will be excluded.
• Individuals with physician-diagnosed liver disease will be excluded.
• No previous history of severe cardiovascular disease including stroke, heart attack and arrythmias.
• Individuals who have undergone a hysterectomy or removal of ovaries cannot participate in the study.
• No previous history of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.

Participants will attend five to six sessions at Purdue. Each session will last 30-45 minutes. The first session is an initial interview and screening. The second session consists of a fasted blood draw, 1-repetition maximum test and body composition measurement. Visits three through five are patellar tendon assessments using ultrasound imaging (visits two and three may be combined). Visit six is an MRI scan of the patellar tendon.

Benefits for participants:

• Although there are no direct benefits, the knowledge gained from this study may have implications for individuals going through menopause and may aid in guiding the future development of treatment options for tendinosis
• Compensation. Participants will be compensated $75 for completing this study.

For more information or to participate, contact Gordon Smilanich at gsmilani@purdue.edu or 317-721-3651 (leave a message). Learn more about the lab and research at https://hhs.purdue.edu/carroll-lab/.

The primary investigator is Chad Carroll, associate professor of health and kinesiology. IRB#: 2024-027.

Study on serum advanced glycation end products and alterations of tendon properties

The purpose of this research is to determine if markers in blood serum are related to changes in tendon properties, especially in individuals with diabetes. Researchers are seeking men and women ages 40-75 to participate in a study evaluating impact of pre-diabetes and diabetes on tendon health. To participate, participants must meet the following criteria:

• 40-75 years old.
• Not physically active.
• Women who are pregnant will be excluded.
• Individuals with claustrophobia or implanted objects (metal plates, screws, etc.) who cannot complete an MRI assessment will be excluded.
• Individuals with any orthopedic condition that would prevent them from properly performing knee extensions will be excluded.
• Individuals with prior knee replacement or knee surgeries (e.g. ACL reconstruction).
• Chronic users of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or prescription cyclooxygenase inhibitors.
• Individuals with physician-diagnosed liver disease.

Participants will conduct five to six sessions at Purdue. Each session will last 30-45 minutes. The first session is an initial interview and screening. The second session consists of a fasted blood draw. Visits three through five are patellar tendon assessments using ultrasound imaging (visits two and three may be combined). Visit six is an MRI scan of the patellar tendon.

Benefits for participants:

• Although there are no direct benefits, the knowledge gained from this study may benefit future diabetic patients with tendon problems by providing new information that could lead to the development of new treatment options.
• Participants will be compensated $75 for completing this study.

For more information or to participate, contact Eric Gutierrez at gutie216@purdue.edu or 765-205-2357 (please leave a message). Learn more about the lab and research at https://hhs.purdue.edu/carroll-lab/.

The primary investigator is Chad Carroll, associate professor of health and kinesiology. IRB#: 2023-1703.

Healthy adult research participants needed for language study

Principal investigator Jiyeon Lee, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, is seeking participants for a language study for healthy adults.

The study will be up to 12 sessions, and each session lasts approximately two hours. Testing will be conducted at Lyles-Porter Hall. To be eligible, individuals should be 40-85 years old, be a native speaker of English and have general good health. If eligible, participation will be compensated and free parking is available.

For more information, contact aphasia@purdue.edu, call 765-496-0216, or visit the Aphasia Research Laboratory website. IRB-2021-659.

Individuals with aphasia needed for study

The Purdue Aphasia lab invites people with aphasia to participate in a new NIH-funded training study. Participation will help researchers to better understand language recovery in aphasia, in hopes to develop new language treatments.

To be eligible, individuals should have aphasia as a result of a stroke, have no history of other neurological conditions (dementia, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) and be a native speaker of English. Eligibility for this training study will be determined after the initial language evaluation.

Studies will be conducted at Lyles-Porter Hall, at the Indianapolis lab site or virtually via Zoom. Participants, if eligible, will be compensated $20 per session, and free garage parking is provided.

The principal investigator is Jiyeon Lee, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. For more information, contact aphasia@purdue.edu, call 765-496-0216, or visit the Aphasia Research Laboratory website. IRB-2021-659.